Article snippet: The White House said Thursday that it was unaware of a federal grand jury being utilized in the Russian election interference investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, but pledged cooperation in the probe. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news of the grand jury. ABC News later confirmed the panel's employment by Mueller's team with a source familiar with the matter. Ty Cobb, the special counsel to the president, said he was unaware a grand jury was being utilized in relation to the inquiry, which is also investigating potential connections between associates of President Donald Trump and the Russian effort, according to a statement released by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders. "Grand jury matters are typically secret," Cobb said in a statement. "The White House favors anything that accelerates the conclusion of his work fairly ... The White House is committed to fully cooperating with Mr. Mueller," he added. The source reached by ABC News said the Washington, D.C. grand jury has been used for week, after a panel in Alexandria, Virginia was similarly used to investigate matters tied to the Russia probe. The panel permits Mueller's team to subpoena materials, question witnesses under oath and potentially issue formal charges. A spokesman for the special counsel's office declined to comment for this story. In an appearance on Fox News Thursday afternoon after the report of the grand jury became public, Trump attorney Rod Rosenstein, t... Link to the full article to read more