Trump's foe probe takes unusual turn as loyalist quits over 'ethical problem', then explains
WASHINGTON, DC: In an eyebrow-raising revelation, a President Donald Trump loyalist abruptly left a DOJ probe over the administration’s “ethical problem,” arguing that indictments can't happen without “evidence.”
The loyalist was appointed to oversee the Justice Department’s investigation into officials involved in past probes against President Trump.
Trump loyalist quits, then explains 'ethical problem' remark
The top prosecutor leading the wide-ranging investigation, Joseph diGenova, resigned on Thursday, September 10.
“If you want indictments where there’s no evidence, you have an ethical problem,” Joe diGenova told New York Post Washington Bureau Chief Josh Christenson by phone when asked about his sudden departure.
Later, explaining his comments to The Associated Press, diGenova said that his comments were taken out of context.
“There’s plenty of evidence in all of these cases to prove the theories of prosecution. It just takes time to get there, and some people want to get there a little faster than others — and you can’t do that,” diGenova said.
diGenova just told me by phone when I asked about his abrupt exit:
— Josh Christenson (@jchristenson_) September 10, 2026
“If you want indictments where there’s no evidence, you have an ethical problem” https://t.co/rxb9GRCQdn
The controversial remark came hours after diGenova told The Washington Post that he had submitted his resignation papers to Attorney General Todd Blanche amid disagreements over the pace of the investigation.
However, he did not talk about the kind of disagreement that led to his sudden departure at what appears to still be an early stage of the high-profile investigation.
Trump had repeatedly expressed frustration with former Attorney General Pam Bondi’s pace and limited success in overseeing efforts related to investigations into his political opponents. He fired Bondi in April.
No prosecutions made in investigation against Trump foes
The probe in question seeks to examine intelligence officials and others connected to the investigation against Trump and his associates between 2016 and 2021. It began with inquiries surrounding his 2016 campaign and later included the criminal investigations Trump faced after leaving office in 2021.
DiGenova, a former US attorney for the District of Columbia, suggested that an FBI investigation into potential ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign was a hoax perpetrated to keep Trump from becoming president.
Despite dozens of subpoenas issued over the past year, the investigation has so far produced no criminal prosecutions.
ABC News sources revealed diGenova had presented himself to Trump as someone capable of accelerating the probe when he was brought on in April.
Notably, diGenova joined the probe after a decades-long pause from prosecution. As a longtime Trump ally, he assisted the president on various legal matters, including his unsuccessful efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
