The federal investigation tied to alleged efforts to undermine President Donald Trump just took a major turn.
Former FBI Director James Comey has now been subpoenaed, as prosecutors ramp up what’s already become a sweeping probe involving more than 130 subpoenas.
On Thursday, Axios reporter Marc Caputo disclosed new details about what observers have characterized as a broad “grand conspiracy” case aimed at former officials who were involved in investigating and prosecuting Trump:
The Trump administration’s grand conspiracy theory posits that Democratic officials bent the rules, broke the law and lied under oath to investigate, prosecute and otherwise undermine Trump from his election in 2016 through his federal indictments in 2023.
The Comey subpoena, issued last week, relates to his alleged role in the drafting of a January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) concerning Russia’s election interference that favored Trump.
The assessment referenced the now-widely discredited Steele Dossier, whose inclusion “ran counter to fundamental tradecraft principles and ultimately undermined the credibility of a key judgment,” according to a “Tradecraft Review” completed in June under Trump’s current CIA director, John Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe then referred Comey and former CIA director John Brennan for prosecution.
Ratcliffe’s referral accused Brennan of making false statements to Congress about the dossier’s inclusion in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan filed a similar criminal referral in October 2025.
Meanwhile, a prior prosecution attempt against former FBI Director James Comey collapsed after a judge ruled that lead prosecutor Lindsey Halligan had been unlawfully appointed. The case was dismissed without prejudice on Nov. 24, 2025.
“Because Ms. Halligan had no lawful authority to present the indictment, I will grant Mr. Comey’s motion and dismiss the indictment without prejudice,” the judge wrote.
What Investigators Are Claiming
At the center of the latest development is a controversial allegation: that officials during the Obama and Biden years coordinated actions against Trump.
Investigators are examining whether those officials:
- Broke rules governing federal investigations
- Misled Congress under oath
- Worked together to target Trump politically
The timeline stretches from the 2016 campaign all the way through Trump’s 2023 indictments.
Brennan Also In The Crosshairs
Comey isn’t alone.
Former CIA Director John Brennan is also under scrutiny, particularly over what he told Congress about the Steele dossier — one of the most disputed elements of the Trump-Russia investigation.
What’s Happening In Court
The case is unfolding in Florida under Judge Aileen Cannon, with a grand jury actively hearing evidence.
But here’s the key detail: the broader “grand conspiracy” theory hasn’t held up in court so far.
Critics say investigators still haven’t proven that any coordinated criminal effort actually existed.
The Big Picture
The subpoena signals that this investigation is far from over and may be accelerating.
But the core claim driving it all — a sweeping conspiracy against Trump — remains unproven in court.
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