A Mysterious Grand Jury Case In D.C. Was Sealed Off Completely And Nobody Knows Why

BY Ollie Ward December 14, 2018

The floor of a Washington D.C. courtroom was cleared out ahead of a secret grand jury proceeding which many believe is connected to the special counsel, Robert Mueller’s office.

Reporters from Buzzfeed, Reuters, and Politico took to Twitter after being removed from the 5^th floor of the U.S. Court of Appeals just before arguments on the case were about to start.

Hello from the 5th floor of the US Court of Appeals in DC, where I’m on stakeout with about a dozen of my reporter colleagues. No sightings yet of either side in the mystery apparent Mueller case, which begins in a sealed courtroom in about 20 or so mins. https://t.co/njdZtYMfi1

— Darren Samuelsohn (@dsamuelsohn) December 14, 2018

The DC Circuit is about to hear arguments in the sealed grand jury matter. They've sealed not only the courtroom, but the whole floor, so we've been moved away. Haven't recognized anyone going in earlier as being connected to Mueller's office, now we won't be able to see

— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) December 14, 2018

We're now allowed back on the floor where DC Circuit arguments were taking place, but the courtroom area is locked and no official confirmation yet that arguments are over. No spottings of note so far (your court press corps is spread out around the building and outside)

— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) December 14, 2018

Details on the case are limited. Politico reported that the grand jury matter was filed in August, with almost all the details on the docket sealed. The case involves an unnamed individual summoned to appear before a grand jury.

The case traveled from the U.S. District Court of Chief Judge Beryl Howell, to the Court of Appeals, back down to Howell, and back up to the Court of Appeals, with all the details removed and with atypical speed.

Judge Greg Katsas also recused himself from the case. As he was the courts only member appointed by President Donald Trump, it only furthered suspicion that the case was linked to Robert Mueller’s investigation.