Robert Mueller Subpoenas Steve Bannon in Connection to Russia Investigation

Special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into possible links between Donald Trump’s associates and Russia appears to have penetrated the president’s inner circle for the first time. According to The NYT, Trump’s former chief strategist Steve Bannon was subpoenaed last week by Mueller and will be required to testify in front of a grand jury.

While the subpoena is seen as a sign that Bannon is not a personal focus of the investigation, it does represent a looming negotiating tactic for Mueller’s investigation. Speaking with The NYT, a person with direct knowledge stated that Mueller could allow Bannon to “forgo the grand jury appearance if he agrees to instead be questioned by investigators in the less formal setting of the special counsel’s offices about tie between Trump’s associates and Russia, and about the president’s conduct in office.”

The decision to subpoena Bannon could also be a sign that Mueller’s investigation is growing more intense. It was revealed last week that Mueller told Trump’s lawyers of his desire to question the president as part of his investigation at some point. No interview has been scheduled yet.