A federal judge reportedly has extended by six months the authorization for a grand jury that is being used by special counsel Robert Mueller to conduct his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and related issues. Grand Jury 17-1, which is being used in the special counsel Robert Mueller's probe for prosecutions in D.C., began its work in the summer of 2017 and was set to expire in the coming days. "I can confirm that grand jury 17-1 has been extended, can continue to sit," said Lisa Klem, administrative assistant to Judge Beryl Howell, chief judge of U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. Under federal rules, the court is able to extend a grand jury’s term for another six months if it is “in the public interest.”

Grand jury activity is secret, except following the 23-person group’s approval of criminal indictments.
Chief United States District Judge Beryl Howell extends grand jury "17-1" for up to six months; the original 18-month authorization was set to expire Sunday.