On Friday October 28, 2017, CNN reported first that a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. had approved charges in the Russian 2016 election interference investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller, according to anonymous sources.
CNN’s sources told the network that the “charges are still sealed under orders from a federal judge.” These individuals also said that a potential figure could be taken into custody as soon as Monday, but declined to mention who exactly and for what reasons.
It is rather peculiar that those close to the investigation leaked these claims to CNN, despite the charges remaining under sealed order from a federal judge. Although this story lacks detail and sourcing, many on the left are apoplectic that this spells “the end” for President Donald J. Trump.
Multiple sources say Trump “completely lost his mind” after he found out Mueller’s filed charges & now he’s “having an epic meltdown” #AMJoy
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) October 28, 2017
“If u thought you’ve seen crazy out of Trump, u haven’t seen anything yet, everyone should be terrified.” Fmr GOP Senate staffer said #AMJoy
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) October 28, 2017
Of paramount importance is does Trump start pardoning people right off the bat. Not type of guy who has tool like that and doesn't use it.
— Claude Taylor (@TrueFactsStated) October 28, 2017
It's almost 10:30 a.m. Trump's usually escaped to golf by now. According to press pool, he's still at WH.
— Pé Resists (@4everNeverTrump) October 28, 2017
He must be in full meltdown mode.
It should be noted that CNN has jumped the gun on reporting on Trump and Russia before. This past summer, three senior journalists were forced to resign after completely butchering a story regarding President Trump's aid Anthony Scaramucci and Russia. That story alleged that a hedge fund Scaramucci was involved with had collaborated with Russia to influence the 2016 election.
This is not to say that CNN is wrong again here, nor to suggest they may be correct this time. It is simply a reminder to take news reports based on anonymous sources with a grain of salt and to not rush to judgment.
Unless any major changes in this story occur today or tomorrow, the media’s reporting on potential charges is all pure speculation.