Image source: Pixabay
Top Prosecutor Resigns from Department of Justice
Jason Reding Quinones, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, has submitted his resignation from the Department of Justice. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the departure on Friday.
Quinones previously directed a federal government investigation into alleged Russian support for the 2016 campaign. Although a special investigator concluded there was no direct collusion, the inquiry involved subpoenas directed at several former officials, including former CIA director John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and former FBI Director James Comey. No charges were brought under that specific probe, though Comey faced separate indictments and legal actions.
Additionally, Quinones supervised the indictment of 94-year-old Cuban revolutionary Raul Castro during a broader administration pressure campaign against Cuba. Blanche acknowledged Quinones's departure by highlighting his leadership in addressing violent crime, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and transnational crime.
Additional Departures Amid Political Shift
The resignation follows similar exits within the Department of Justice. Harmeet Dhillon, head of the civil rights division, departed from her position a day earlier. John Eisenberg, assistant attorney general leading the national security division, also submitted his resignation on Friday.
These departures occur as officials prepare for upcoming congressional investigations. Following the recent midterm elections, Democrats secured control of the US House of Representatives and the Senate, granting the party new oversight and subpoena powers. Lawmakers are anticipated to launch probes examining the alleged politicisation of the Justice Department.
Source: US prosecutor who led Trump-backed election probe exits Justice Department