Judge Anthony Trenga of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia said in court documents it was discharging the grand jury. He noted that "Manning's appearance before the Grand Jury is no longer needed, in light of which her detention no longer serves any coercive purpose".

The court order also cancelled a hearing on Manning scheduled for Friday afternoon. The news comes a day after lawyers for Manning said she attempted to commit suicide while in federal custody.

"On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, Chelsea Manning attempted to take her own life. She was taken to a hospital and is currently recovering", Manning's attorneys said in a statement. Alexandria, Va., Sheriff Dana Lawhorne confirmed that "an incident" took place at the adult detention centre in Northern Virginia just after noon on Wednesday.