Mueller’s Most Mysterious Grand Jury Maneuvers will Remain Secret for Now

In the long and controversial history of Robert Mueller’s Russiagate investigation, one particular case has remained the subject of a great mystery despite all efforts toward transparency.

This is the same case that had an entire floor of a DC courtroom quarantined from the public back in December.

An entire floor of the courthouse was closed to the public and press for more than an hour. During that time, attorneys secretly entered the courthouse to argue before three federal appellate judges over a grand jury subpoena.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the E. Barrett Prettyman building – United States Courthouse, April 26, 2013, in Washington D.C.

The mystery of the subpoena appeal appears to date back to early September, when CNN witnessed several lawyers from Mueller’s office entering a courtroom to argue against an unknown defense team before a trial-level judge who oversees federal grand jury-related cases.

Clearly, a challenge related to Mueller’s grand jury investigation was underway.

What is known about the case is simply that a large, Russian company is at the crux of the legal battle – something that is worrisome for Americans concerned about the Kremlin’s reported interference in the 2016 US presidential election.

The identity of this company will remain a secret, however, after a recent ruling by a federal judge.

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled she would not be revealing the identity of the mystery company at the center of a grand jury battle left over from special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. But the judge did rule that briefs and transcripts in the case that are sealed would be reviewed for possible redaction and release.

The motion to reveal the identity of the unknown “Corporation” from “Country A” — and to unseal these case documents — was brought by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in February 2019. Chief Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for D.C. ruled that the motion “is granted in part and denied in part.”

Transparency has been the battle cry of patriotic Americans everywhere in the wake of the Mueller report’s finalization, and this ruling may not sit well with an already impatient congress either.