Grand jury set up in Trump-Russia probe

INVESTIGATORS probing claims of Russian meddling in the US election have impanelled a grand jury, it was reported last night.

The Wall Street Journal and Reuters news agency said that Robert Mueller’s inquiry into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia is now preparing for potential charges and subsequent trials.

It’s claimed that subpoenas have been issued over a June 2016 meeting between President Donald Trump’s son and a Russian lawyer. The grand jury will allow Mr Mueller to subpoena documents, put witnesses under oath and seek indictments.

The US President has fiercely denied suggestions that his team – including son Donald Trump Jr and son-in-law Jared Kushner – colluded with the Kremlin.

Grand juries are set up in the US to consider whether a prosecutor’s evidence in a case is strong enough for indictments to be issued for a criminal trial. Held in secret, they do not decide on the guilt or innocence of a potential defendant.

By setting one up, it is a clear sign Mr Mueller believes criminal charges could be possible or that he believes he will need to subpoena records and get testimony from witnesses.

Law professor Stephen Vladeck told the Wall Street Journal: ‘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.’

Yesterday Mr Trump claimed that US relations with Russia were at an ‘all-time and very dangerous low’. He hit out after Congress imposed sanctions on the Kremlin, which he reluctantly signed, for meddling in the election.

He tweeted: ‘Our relationship with Russia is at an all-time & very dangerous low. You can thank Congress.’