Yesterday, Americans learned of a new development in the ongoing Robert Mueller probe. As of Friday, January 4, 2019, the grand jury in Mueller’s Russia investigation was extended, according to The Washington Post. Although many reports indicated that the probe may have been coming to an end, the limit to its longevity is, once again, a mystery.
The Extension of the Grand Jury
First and foremost, it’s important to note that U.S. District Court Chief Judge Beryl Howell issued the aforementioned extension. The extension will last for roughly six months as Mueller continues investigating whether or not President Trump colluded with the Russian government in order to win the 2016 election. The grand jury extension also comes as Mueller’s appointment approaches its two-year milestone.
Since the inception of Mueller’s investigation, various Russian officials have faced indictments. The probe furthermore results in the downfall of Michael Cohen, the president’s former attorney. Due to the commission of various white-collar crimes (such as campaign finance violations, bank fraud, tax fraud), Cohen faces three years in prison, a sentence which he will begin carrying out later this year.
Reactions to the Extension of the Mueller Grand Jury
The left has been in favor of the Russia probe since its inception. As a matter of fact, the Washington Post reports that House Democrats have already begun putting forth bills to shield Mueller from termination, in the event that President Trump attempts to fire him.
Similarly to the president, Republicans and conservatives across the country have criticized Mueller’s probe as politically motivated, unfounded, and wasteful of taxpayer dollars. The extension of the grand jury is sure to add new chapters to an increasingly interesting saga.
What do you think about the judge’s decision to extend the grand jury in Robert Mueller’s ongoing Russia investigation? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
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