Trump Ally Launches Sweeping Probe Into Officials Who Investigated President

Trump allies have broadened an investigation into former government officials who looked into the president, raising fears of a political witch hunt. Jason A. Reding Quiñones, the U.S. attorney for the District of Southern Florida, is leading the expanded inquiry, which some of the president's supporters hoped would uncover a "grand conspiracy" against him.

The probe represents the latest escalation in the Trump administration's efforts to undermine and discredit investigations into the president's conduct. It comes as the Justice Department is already facing criticism for appearing to bend to political pressure from the White House.

Critics have accused the Trump team of seeking to distract from the president's impeachment trial and other scandals by targeting those who previously looked into him. The expanded inquiry is seen by many as an attempt to discredit the work of former officials and intimidate government employees who may wish to scrutinize the administration's actions.

"This is a dangerous politicization of the Justice Department," said Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney. "It appears to be an effort to harass and intimidate career officials who were simply doing their jobs."

The probe is focusing on a range of former officials, including Andrew McCabe, the former FBI deputy director, and James Comey, the former FBI director who was fired by Trump. It also appears to be targeting Rod Rosenstein, the former deputy attorney general who appointed Robert Mueller to lead the Russia investigation.

Critics argue that the inquiry is a politically motivated attempt to undermine the credibility of those who have scrutinized the president's actions. They warn that it could have a chilling effect on government employees who may be reluctant to pursue investigations that could draw the ire of the White House.

The expanded probe is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Trump administration to go after those who have investigated the president. It follows the firing of multiple inspectors general and the demotion of officials who have criticized the administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

As the inquiry continues, there are growing concerns that it could further erode the independence of the Justice Department and undermine public trust in the government's ability to hold leaders accountable.