Six attorneys who signed subpoenas related to the Biden Justice Department’s investigation into conservative activists are no longer employed by the agency, according to a report from The Federalist. The subpoenas, part of a broader inquiry led by Special Counsel Jack Smith, sought extensive banking data and communications from various conservative organizations and individuals.
Senator Chuck Grassley released nearly 2,000 pages of these subpoenas on Wednesday, revealing the scope of the investigation, which has been characterized by critics as a "fishing expedition" targeting supporters of former President Donald Trump. The subpoenas were issued to a range of entities, including financial institutions and political action committees.
Among the attorneys who signed the subpoenas is Maria Vento, who was identified as the assistant special counsel responsible for the majority of them. A source familiar with the situation confirmed that Vento has not been with the DOJ for several months. Her name appears on over 100 of the subpoenas released this week.
Erin B. Pulice, another attorney who signed approximately two dozen subpoenas, has also left the DOJ. According to legal records, she was previously affiliated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.
Brooke C. Watson, who served as Smith’s assistant special counsel and signed 18 subpoenas, was dismissed by Attorney General Pam Bondi in August. Following her departure, Watson joined Dynamis LLP as a partner.
Matthew Burke, who joined Smith's team in 2022, was also terminated from his position. Burke signed subpoenas that compelled former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale and former communications director Tim Murtaugh to provide documents related to the 2020 presidential election. He was let go in late January.
Other attorneys who have left include Timothy A. Duree and Mary L. Dohrmann, both of whom signed subpoenas related to the investigation. Duree compelled testimony from former DOJ employee Robert Gasaway, while Dohrmann addressed a subpoena to Christopher Miller, Trump’s former acting defense secretary.
In response to concerns about the investigation, Bondi has vowed to "root out corruption" within the DOJ and has established a working group to examine the agency's actions against political opponents.
The release of these subpoenas and the subsequent departures of the attorneys involved have raised questions about the motivations and methods of the DOJ under the Biden administration. Critics argue that the investigation represents a misuse of power aimed at undermining political adversaries.
Why it matters
- Primary documents and sources are linked for verification.
- Six attorneys involved in subpoenas for a DOJ investigation into conservative activists have left the agency, raising concerns about the inquiry's integrity.
- The subpoenas, part of a broader investigation led by Special Counsel Jack Smith, have been criticized as a politically motivated 'fishing expedition.'.
- The release of nearly 2,000 pages of subpoenas by Senator Grassley highlights the extensive reach of the investigation into conservative organizations.
What’s next
- Attorney General Pam Bondi has formed a working group to investigate the DOJ's actions against political opponents.
- Further scrutiny of the DOJ's investigation methods is expected as critics continue to voice concerns over potential misuse of power.