US Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed a federal prosecutor to present evidence to a grand jury in connection with longstanding allegations surrounding the Trump–Russia investigation. The move marks a significant development in what former President Donald Trump has repeatedly called a politically motivated smear campaign.
According to CBS News, the Department of Justice will seek a potential indictment. However, it remains unclear who might face charges or what the exact charges could be, News.Az reports, citing BBC.
The decision follows a referral by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who last month accused former President Barack Obama and his national security team of orchestrating a “years-long coup” against Trump. Gabbard released a declassified report alleging that the Obama administration politicized intelligence on Russian interference in the 2016 election. Democrats have rejected the report as baseless.
The long-running debate over so-called "Russiagate" was reignited with the release of an appendix to Special Counsel John Durham’s investigation. It included a 2016 memo and leaked emails suggesting Hillary Clinton’s campaign may have backed efforts to portray Trump as compromised by Russia. Durham, however, found no proof of an FBI-led conspiracy.
While no collusion was proven in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s 2019 report, the Trump–Russia investigation dominated much of Trump’s first term. This new grand jury proceeding signals the Justice Department is still examining the origins and conduct of that inquiry.
Bondi’s order could put former intelligence officials—including ex-CIA Director John Brennan and ex-FBI Director James Comey—back under scrutiny, though both deny any wrongdoing.
The grand jury will now determine if the evidence merits formal charges.
