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 people familiar with the matter.
The grand jury, which began its work in recent weeks, signals that Mr. Mueller’s inquiry 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.
Grand juries are powerful investigative tools that allow prosecutors to subpoena documents, put witnesses under oath and seek indictments, if there is evidence of a crime. Legal experts said that the decision by Mr. Mueller to impanel a grand jury suggests he believes he will need to subpoena records and take testimony from witnesses.
“This is yet a further sign that there is a long-term, large-scale series of prosecutions being contemplated and being pursued by the special counsel,” said Stephen I. Vladeck, a law professor at the University of Texas. “If there was already a grand jury in Alexandria looking at Flynn, there would be no need to reinvent the wheel for the same guy. This suggests that the investigation is bigger and wider than Flynn, perhaps substantially so.”
As I texted back to my friend earlier today, shit just got real!
According to this Wall Street Journal article Mueller did NOT simply use an already existing Grand Jury for this investigation, he impaneled his own specifically focused on the Russia probe.
Also keep in mind that when appearing before a Grand Jury witnesses and defendants are not allowed to bring their lawyers in with them. Which means that the risk of perjury is very high.
Now keep in mind the folks that are likely to be called before this Grand Jury, and their difficult relationship with telling the truth.
I think that if Trump was seriously considering the idea of firing Robert Mueller that it is too late for that now, especially now that there are Senators introducing a bipartisan bill to protect his investigation.
The horse is already out of the barn, as my father might say.
Source http://ift.tt/2vn6oJi
