Todd Blanche, a legal ally of former President Donald Trump, is navigating complex investigations into Trump's political adversaries, facing challenges reminiscent of those encountered by his predecessor, Pam Bondi. The probes, particularly those targeting former CIA Director John Brennan, have shown less progress than anticipated by individuals within Trump's orbit.
One investigation centers on allegations that Brennan lied to Congress about the Steele dossier, specifically his assertion that the CIA did not rely on the document for its 2017 Russia assessment. The second probe examines Brennan's alleged involvement in a "grand conspiracy" related to the intelligence community's 2016 investigation into Trump's campaign ties to Russia.
Blanche appointed Trump ally Joseph DiGenova in April to lead these investigations, a move made after the previous prosecutor, Maria Medetis Long, reportedly expressed doubts about the likelihood of securing indictments. DiGenova, described as "Blanche's man in Miami," is viewed as more aggressive than Long. However, progress has been slower than some in Trump's circle had hoped, with DiGenova having previously blamed Bondi for delays.
These investigations face significant hurdles. Statutes of limitations can limit the window for indictments, especially for alleged conduct occurring years prior. Furthermore, public statements made by DiGenova, who has previously accused Brennan of collusion to frame Trump, could complicate the prosecution's case. Federal criminal prosecutions, particularly those involving public figures and classified information, are inherently lengthy and complex processes, often requiring years to build a case for a grand jury.
Pam Bondi, who preceded Blanche as acting Attorney General, also faced criticism for failing to aggressively pursue Trump's political opponents. Her departure in April followed frustrations over issues including the handling of the Epstein files. Blanche's ascendance to the acting role was seen by some as an opportunity to accelerate Trump's priorities, but the current investigations highlight the difficulties inherent in pursuing such cases.
Brennan has denied all allegations and is pursuing legal action to preserve records related to the investigations, arguing he is being targeted vindictively. The US Attorney's office in Florida and the Justice Department declined to comment on the status of the probes. The delays could prove particularly vexing for Blanche, who has sought to establish himself through his loyalty to Trump.