What are the potential effects of preserving Trump probe records on public trust in government?

Former CIA Director John Brennan sued the Trump administration Tuesday, seeking a court order requiring officials to preserve records related to investigations into him. Why it matters: If Brennan is later charged, preserved records could be central to any claim that the prosecution amounted to unconstitutional political retaliation. Brennan contends the investigation is part of Trump's broader push to punish political adversaries — especially critics like Brennan, who has publicly clashed with Trump for years. What they're saying: Brennan's attorneys argued in a lawsuit filed in D.C. federal court that the Trump administration's recent changes to records retention depart from longstanding record-keeping practices. Officials are investigating Brennan for "phantom criminal conduct," his lawyers allege in the 46-page filing."Given the government's questionable recent history with respect to its record preservation and other legal obligations, however, Director Brennan has a well-founded concern that those records and communications will not be preserved until such time as the court can review them for evidence of unconstitutional vindictiveness," they said.Brennan's attorneys claimed in the filing that the Justice Department has had a "consistent pattern of irregular conduct in this and other retribution cases." The other side: "While we cannot comment on the existence, or lack thereof, of an investigation, it is certainly rich that John Brennan is accusing anyone of a "retribution campaign,'" a Justice Department spokesperson said. She did not immediately respond to Axios' request to elaborate on her "retribution" comment. What we're hearing: A source close to Brennan tells Axios' Mike Allen that the former CIA chief will "vigorously challenge" any indictment the administration secures. "Since President Trump first entered politics, he has repeatedly singled out Director Brennan for criticism, and we believe these investigations are the latest effort to retaliate aga