Pirro Convenes a Rare Special Grand Jury in Washington Days After Trump Questioned Whether She Keeps Her Job

The Justice Department convened a special grand jury in Washington, The Washington Post reported Aug. 12, 2026 — a rare body officials say could let prosecutors pursue the capital's largest cases. Unlike an ordinary grand jury, it sits for an extended term and may issue a report rather than only returning indictments. The move by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro follows Trump's criticism of her for dropping the Reflecting Pool vandalism case and his statement last week that he had not decided whether she keeps her job.

What the panel will examine has not been reported, and timing alone does not establish a link to the president's pressure. Structurally, a reporting grand jury can characterize conduct publicly on a lower threshold than an indictment requires.

Its mandate and subjects remain unreported.