WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after it was reported that Special Counsel Robert Mueller has impaneled a grand jury in the ongoing investigation into whether President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign colluded with Russia to interfere in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following statement:

“Special Counsel Mueller is a thoughtful and thorough law enforcement professional.  These reports suggest that the Special Counsel believes there is a need to impanel a grand jury so he can readily issue subpoenas, gather testimony, and compel individuals to testify regarding what they know about Russian interference in the election, the Trump campaign, and likely a host of financial matters.  These are gravely serious issues.

“The Special Counsel must be allowed to conduct his work independently and free from interference.  He has powerful, independent investigative tools at his disposal, and I am confident he will follow the facts and continue moving forward in a thorough, deliberate way.”