A federal grand jury in Washington DC was meeting for the first time Tuesday since handing up an indictment against former President Trump related to the 2020 election, indicating that the special counsel’s investigation in the matter is ongoing.
Last week, the grand jury indicted Trump on four criminal counts related to alleged election interference: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights.
The DC grand jury meets every Tuesday and Thursday. It was not clear Tuesday whether their latest meeting would include discussions about Trump or any of the six co-conspirators who are so far unindicted but whose actions are detailed in the indictment.
Meanwhile, special counsel prosecutors and the defense have responded to an order from U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over the case, to offer a date for a hearing on presenting evidence in former President Trump’s trial related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
Federal prosecutors say their team can be ready for a hearing on any day this week. Trump team asks for a Monday or Tuesday hearing—despite Judge Chutkan stating that she wanted to hold the hearing on or before this Friday.
It’s unclear why Trump attorneys can’t meet the judge’s deadline.
Chutkan had ordered the legal teams for both the defense and the prosecution to meet on Tuesday, giving them until 3pm ET to agree on possible dates for a hearing to determine what evidence can be presented.
Federal prosecutors in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office want a protective order with more restrictions to help prevent Trump from making evidence public. Trump’s defense team responded Monday by asserting that the order is too broad, saying it puts undue limits on the former President’s First Amendment rights.
PHOTO: DC Federal Courthouse during Trump’s August 3 arraignment
