Grand jury to probe Trump-Russia links

Washington: Special counsel Robert Mueller has convened a grand jury to investigate the alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, US media reports said, suggesting that his probe was expanding to focus on financial crimes. The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news, said this was a sign that Mr Mueller’s inquiry was growing in intensity and entering a new phase. A CNN report said that the investigation has now widened to focus on possible financial crimes.

Mr Mueller, a former FBI director, was appointed in May — after James Comey was abruptly fired as the chief of the investigating agency — to probe the alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. The impanelling of the grand jury means that Mr Mueller could be expected to hear from witnesses and demand documents in the coming weeks, American media reports said. The Russian meddling allegations have weighed in on the Trump administration, putting the US President in a difficult position hindering his efforts to improve ties with Moscow.

The development came as Mr Trump signed a law authorising new sanctions on Russia on Wednesday. A week before that, the US Congress had overwhelmingly voted in support of the legislation, curtailing room for Mr Trump to modify or lift the sanctions without congressional approval. Ty Cobb, special counsel to Mr Trump, said he was not aware that Mr Mueller had started using a new grand jury. “Grand jury matters are typically secret,” he said.

He added that Mr Comey had said three times Mr Trump was not under investigation and “we have no reason to believe that has changed.” Meanwhile, Mr Trump said he hopes for a “truly honest” outcome from the Russia investigation. At a boisterous rally in Trump-friendly West Virginia he slammed the investigation as a “fake story that is demeaning to all of us and most of all demeaning to our country and demeaning to our Constitution.”