D.C. Grand Juries Reject Multiple Justice Dept. Indictment Requests

In recent weeks, multiple federal grand juries in Washington, D.C., have repeatedly declined to indict individuals charged under President Donald Trump's federal crackdown in the capital, a highly unusual development given the typically low evidentiary bar for indictments. Among these cases is that of Nathalie Rose Jones, accused of threatening to kill President Trump via social media posts, who was not indicted despite prosecutors' efforts and multiple interviews with the Secret Service. Legal experts, including former U.S. Attorney Brendan Ballou, have expressed astonishment at the grand juries' refusals, suggesting a significant loss of credibility for the Justice Department with jurors. Reports indicate that at least seven grand jury refusals have occurred across five cases, including threats against the president and assault charges. Prosecutors have indicated intentions to try again in some cases, but defense attorneys argue that the evidence remains insufficient and are requesting release of the accused on personal recognizance. These repeated grand jury rebukes highlight growing resistance to the administration's intensified law enforcement actions in D.C., raising questions about the prosecutorial approach and the strength of the evidence presented.