Justice Department convenes rare special grand jury in Washington

The Justice Department has convened a special grand jury in Washington, D.C., a rare legal move intended to facilitate investigations into some of the capital’s most significant and controversial cases. Unlike standard grand juries, a special grand jury is typically empaneled for longer terms and possesses broader authority to examine patterns of wrongdoing across multiple agencies or jurisdictions. It also has the unique ability to release reports regarding the subject of an investigation, even if sufficient evidence is not found to proceed to trial.

According to officials, the special grand jury will be overseen by Steven Vandervelden, an ally of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. Vandervelden has previously handled high-profile inquiries, including investigations involving the Federal Reserve and the D.C. police department. While the specific focus of this new grand jury remains undisclosed, the move suggests prosecutors may be preparing to address sprawling evidence or seek testimony from witnesses who might otherwise resist standard inquiries. The body holds the power to issue subpoenas for documents and demand testimony, as well as issue indictments.