Robert Mueller, the special counsel overseeing the investigation into Russia's cyberwar on America's elections and Trump's possible collusion, has impaneled a grand jury in Washington. The Wall Street Journal was first to report this news on Thursday.
Reuters: Subpoenas out https://t.co/zReIRymWgk
CNN: Money trail https://t.co/RK3qaF3e21
WSJ: Grand jury impaneled https://t.co/qT2bHzmtNN
— Mark Berman (@markberman) August 3, 2017
The move means the probe is intensifying and could stretch "for months," according to the WSJ.
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.
A spokesman for Mr. Mueller, Joshua Stueve, declined to comment. Moscow has denied seeking to influence the election, and Mr. Trump has vigorously disputed allegations of collusion. The president has called Mr. Mueller's inquiry a "witch hunt."
Ty Cobb, special counsel to the president, said he wasn't aware that Mr. Mueller had started using a new grand jury. "Grand jury matters are typically secret," Mr. Cobb said. "The White House favors anything that accelerates the conclusion of his work fairly.…The White House is committed to fully cooperating with Mr. Mueller."
Before Mr. Mueller was tapped in May to be special counsel, federal prosecutors had been using at least one other grand jury, located in Alexandria, Va., to assist in their criminal investigation of Michael Flynn, a former national security adviser. That probe, which has been taken over by Mr. Mueller's team, focuses on Mr. Flynn's work in the private sector on behalf of foreign interests.
[IMAGE: Reuters, FILE]
Reuters- EXCLUSIVE-GRAND JURY SUBPOENAS ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH JUNE 2016 MEETING BETWEEN TRUMP JR, RUSSIAN LAWYER AND OTHERS – SOURCES
— Steve Kopack (@SteveKopack) August 3, 2017
Side note to this: Greg Andres, new hire for Mueller, was EDNY prosecutor while Sater was a EDNY mob case cooperator https://t.co/zl0DQGPqJy
— Andrew Rice (@riceid) August 3, 2017
BREAKING: Mueller crosses Trump's red line as he dives into Trump's finances, Trump Org. deals, Trump Tower tenants https://t.co/23nieJnPMF pic.twitter.com/ADy0M1AYY4
— Marshall Cohen (@Marshall_Cohen) August 3, 2017
Everyone's expecting, "YOU GET A SUBPOENA! AND YOU GET A SUBPOENA! AND YOU GET A SUBPOENA!!" pic.twitter.com/iCJgSlpO5P
— Jim Geraghty (@jimgeraghty) August 3, 2017
Not surprising. Mueller's team has reportedly issued grand jury subpoenas already. This shows there is enough here to warrant looking at. https://t.co/uOa5A6lfD8
— Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) August 3, 2017
Before it seemed investigation was looking at potential financial crimes w/Russians; now and/or financial element of collusion
— Justin Miller (@justinjm1) August 3, 2017
i'm sure trump and sean hannity and alex jones will take this calmly and rationally and not overreach https://t.co/wPGlJw5Fgt
— John Whitehouse (@existentialfish) August 3, 2017
Oh snap. You know what this means…. https://t.co/HSEpIGLGm9 pic.twitter.com/TClaKKQwp8
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) August 3, 2017
CNN banner: "Mueller crosses Trump's red line as Russia investigation follows the money" pic.twitter.com/wPXvGS2gMv
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 3, 2017
Robert Mueller is not fucking around https://t.co/z70CzxVFGR
— John Hendrickson (@JohnGHendy) August 3, 2017
*rifling through the grand jury wikipedia entry* hmm yes i'm available to weigh in on your show
— Gideon Resnick (@GideonResnick) August 3, 2017
really feel like this could hurt trump's chances of getting a job after his presidency with the local milk people https://t.co/2xFkhINv4u
— Sal Gentile (@salgentile) August 3, 2017
CNN appears to, by and large, be further confirmation of this — https://t.co/jzeDYW57A1 — and this — https://t.co/y3A8dytvj8 — angle. https://t.co/tUalcPvPUU
— Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) August 3, 2017
BREAKING: Grand jury subpoenas have been issued related to June 2016 meeting between Donald Trump Jr., Russian lawyers and others – sources pic.twitter.com/r8AVLhJCxt
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) August 3, 2017
Robert Mueller's investigation is following the Trump-Russia money trail, sources tell CNN https://t.co/LTrgUBmbP3 https://t.co/fEH2McMdQf
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 3, 2017
Stocks are moving lower on the Dow Jones Mueller story pic.twitter.com/l6jjRdKCgz
— Steve Kopack (@SteveKopack) August 3, 2017
BREAKING: Trump's onetime foreign policy adviser CARTER PAGE was under a FISA warrant since 2014, CNN has learned. https://t.co/23nieJnPMF pic.twitter.com/MNsXf0hWDK
— Marshall Cohen (@Marshall_Cohen) August 3, 2017
BREAKING: US investigators found intercepted comms of Russians talking about possibly coordinating with Manafort https://t.co/23nieJnPMF pic.twitter.com/CbxLHrJqCh
— Marshall Cohen (@Marshall_Cohen) August 3, 2017