Kurt Olsen Resigns from the Justice Department Amid Investigation

Background and Departure

Kurt Olsen, who attempted to overturn the 2020 election results in favor of President Trump, has resigned from the Justice Department. Sources revealed this information to CBS News. Olsen was assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, where he was working on a ‘grand conspiracy’ investigation aimed at Obama- and Biden-era officials. This investigation has not led to any charges yet. CBS News has contacted Olsen for comments.

Resignations and Related Tensions

Earlier in the month, Joe diGenova, a prosecutor appointed by Attorney General Todd Blanche, resigned due to tensions with Justice Department officials regarding case management. Olsen previously worked at the White House as a Director of Election Security and Integrity. In 2020, he was an attorney collaborating with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to urge the Supreme Court to overturn the election results. CBS News also reached out to the Justice Department for comments.

Investigations and Subpoenas

Olsen was subpoenaed by the House Jan. 6 select committee, which investigated the aftermath of the 2020 election. The subpoena claimed Olsen contacted high-level officials at the Department of Justice under presidential directions to discuss election challenges. The committee stated Olsen communicated with Trump on Jan. 6, 2021. Olsen referred the Fulton County election case to the FBI, leading to a search warrant where agents seized ballots and materials from the 2020 election.

Further Referrals and Concerns

Olsen made additional election-related referrals to the Justice Department, according to a knowledgeable source. CBS News reported concerns from law enforcement veterans that the Justice Department’s investigation into Brennan and others is staffed with politically motivated personnel aiming for partisan indictment. Several prosecutors, including Olsen, left the team working on the grand conspiracy case recently. A source mentioned that some attorneys were temporarily assigned and are now returning to their offices.

New Hiring

The Justice Department hired two former prosecutors to join the investigative team, indicating ongoing efforts to address the case.