Subpoenas were issued in probe of Russia ‘conspiracy,’ then DOJ clawed them back, sources say

The Justice Department on Monday night began withdrawing several subpoenas that had been issued just days prior in a criminal probe of former CIA Director John Brennan and a purported conspiracy by the Obama administration to embarrass President Donald Trump, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The dramatic shift in plans revealed some confusion and disorder in the controversial Justice Department investigation, which career prosecutors have privately criticized as lacking evidence and being politically motivated to please Trump.  

The subpoenas, which were served over the weekend, had sought the scheduled testimony of witnesses purportedly with knowledge of the