Mueller assembles grand jury for Russia probe

WASHINGTON—Special Counsel Robert Mueller has impaneled a 23-member grand jury, expanding the scope of his investigation into possible Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and ties to the Trump campaign. The Wall Street Journal first reported on Thursday the existence of the jury, which began work on the Russia probe last month. Mueller already has a grand jury assembled in Alexandria, Va., tasked with aiding in the criminal investigation into Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser. The existence of the new grand jury based in Washington, D.C., means Mueller’s inquiry is expanding beyond Flynn. Mueller does not have a deadline for his investigation. Most grand juries last for one year or longer. This panel of jurors will examine subpoenaed documents, listen to testimony from witnesses, and determine whether to press criminal charges. Trump called Mueller’s investigation a “witch hunt.” He told supporters in West Virginia on Thursday evening investigators should stop wasting their time and dig into a worthy cause: Hillary Clinton’s 33,000 deleted emails. “The Russia story is a total fabrication,” Trump said. “It’s just an excuse for the greatest loss in the history of American politics, that’s all it is.”