MeidasTouch
Episode overview

Trump DOJ BLINDSIDED as DESTRUCTION of Evidence GETS CALLED OUT

MeidasTouch · 21m · 3 Egleze moments
Trump DOJ BLINDSIDED as DESTRUCTION of Evidence GETS CALLED OUT
Episode summary

Michael Popok reports on former CIA Director John Brennan's preemptive lawsuit against the Trump administration, filed July 1st as a 46-page complaint in federal court. Brennan is suing Donald Trump, Attorney General Todd Blanche, and special prosecutor Joe DiGenova to preserve evidence ahead of an expected criminal indictment related to his 2023 congressional testimony about Russian election interference and the Steele dossier. The lawsuit alleges vindictive prosecution and accuses the Trump administration of routinely destroying documents and using disappearing messaging apps like Signal. The case centers on claims that Brennan lied about the intelligence community's use of the Steele dossier in assessing Russian interference in the 2016 election. DiGenova, an 80-year-old former Reagan-era US attorney who previously served as Trump's criminal defense lawyer during the Mueller investigation, was appointed special prosecutor after the original Miami prosecutor told DOJ leadership the case was weak and was subsequently fired or transferred. The investigation is being conducted through a grand jury in Fort Pierce, Florida under Judge Aileen Cannon's jurisdiction, despite the alleged crime occurring in Washington DC, prompting allegations of deliberate judge-shopping. Popok notes that over 200 subpoenas have been issued, with prosecutors promising an indictment by year's end before the five-year statute of limitations expires in 2028. Brennan's strategy of suing first rather than waiting for indictment follows a precedent set by Kilmer Abrego Garcia, who successfully had his indictment dismissed for prosecutorial abuse. The complaint extensively documents Trump administration officials publicly calling Brennan a traitor and declaring him guilty before any charges, bolstering the vindictive prosecution claim.

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3 moments from this episode

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01
Crime & Justice

Trump DOJ Appoints Former Trump Lawyer to Prosecute CIA Director Brennan

The Trump Justice Department appointed 80-year-old Joe DiGenova, a former Reagan-era prosecutor who previously served as Trump's criminal defense lawyer, as special prosecutor targeting John Brennan. DiGenova has publicly called Brennan a traitor and evil, declaring the alleged conspiracy "begins with Brennan and ends with John Brennan" in numerous Fox News and Newsmax appearances. This appointment came after the original prosecutor told DOJ leadership there wasn't a strong case, and was subsequently fired or transferred.

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02
Crime & Justice

Brennan Case Allegedly Steered to Judge Cannon in Florida Despite DC Venue

The criminal investigation of John Brennan is being run out of Fort Pierce, Florida, the jurisdiction of Judge Aileen Cannon, despite the alleged crime occurring in Washington DC during 2023 congressional testimony. Brennan's attorneys sent a letter to the Southern District of Florida Chief Judge challenging this venue selection as deliberate judge-shopping. Over 200 grand jury subpoenas have been issued from the Florida location, and prosecutors have promised an indictment by year's end.

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03
Politics

Former CIA Director John Brennan Sues Trump Administration Over Alleged Evidence Destruction

John Brennan filed a 46-page lawsuit against Donald Trump, Todd Blanche, and special prosecutor Joe DiGenova seeking court orders to preserve evidence ahead of an expected criminal indictment. The suit alleges the Trump administration routinely destroys documents and uses disappearing messaging apps, and claims Brennan is being vindictively prosecuted for his 2023 congressional testimony about Russia's election interference. Brennan's legal team is demanding preservation of all materials relevant to challenging future charges.

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