Special Counsel Robert Mueller has impaneled a grand jury in Washington to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 elections, a sign that his inquiry is growing in intensity and entering a new phase, according to two people familiar with the matter. The grand jury, which began its work in recent weeks, is a sign that Mr. Mueller’s inquiry is ramping up and that it will likely continue for months. Mr. Mueller is investigating Russia’s efforts to influence the 2016 election and whether President Donald Trump’s campaign or associates colluded with the Kremlin as part of that effort. … Thomas Zeno, a federal prosecutor for 29 years before becoming a lawyer at the Squire Patton Boggs law firm, said the grand jury is “confirmation that this is a very vigorous investigation going on.” “This doesn’t mean he is going to bring charges,” Mr. Zeno cautioned. “But it shows he is very serious. He wouldn’t do this if it were winding down.”
As the article mentions, there is already a grand jury impaneled just across the river in Alexandria to look into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. This new jury suggests that Mueller’s investigation is headed in a different direction and may be larger.
Just because a grand jury has been set up doesn’t mean indictments are going to start flowing. It could be a long time before anything comes of the investigation, which has reportedly expanded into Trump’s business dealings as well as those of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as well as possible connections to Russian organized crime.
Meanwhile, Republican Senator Thom Tillis and Democratic Senator Chris Coons introduced legislation Thursday that would allow Robert Mueller to go to court if the president fired him.
“A back-end judicial review process to prevent unmerited removals of special counsels not only helps to ensure their investigatory independence, but also reaffirms our nation’s system of check and balances,” Tillis said in a statement. … The legislation comes as Trump has repeatedly lashed out against Mueller’s investigation. Allies of the administration have also accused the former FBI director, who is widely respected in Washington, of being too biased to lead the probe.
The news of the new grand jury didn’t break until after Tillis and Coons had already introduced their bill Thursday morning.
