Special counsel Robert Mueller is expected to present key findings of his investigation into Russian election interference to top Justice Department officials following the November midterms, according to a report Wednesday.
Mueller is close to concluding two major aspects of the probe that have cast a dark shadow over President Trump’s presidency, Bloomberg News reported.
Specifically, the special counsel will offer conclusions on whether there was clear records of collusion between Russia and Trump’s 2016 campaign and whether the President took any actions that constitute obstruction of justice after taking office.
Mueller’s work will be presented to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who will determine what gets relayed to Congress and what will be released to the public, if anything.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and frequently rails against Mueller’s team, calling the investigation a “witch hunt.” His lawyers have repeatedly attempted to impose artificial deadlines on the special counsel’s work.
Trump’s attorney’s have spent months negotiating with Mueller’s team as the special counsel seeks to get the President to answer questions about the campaign and the possibility of collusion. Investigators, who recently sent Trump’s legal team written questions, have not yet ruled out requesting an in-person interview with the President.
In recent weeks, Mueller’s team has met with Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen, who pleaded guilty to making hush money payments ahead of the election to women claiming they had affairs with Trump. Cohen said he did so at the direction of Trump.
The special counsel’s office also worked out a plea deal with former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort after he agreed to cooperate with investigators. Manafort avoided a second trial after already being convicted in Virginia on eight counts of bank fraud, filing false tax returns and failure to file a foreign bank account.
The possible post-election wrapup also raises questions about the fate of top Justice Department officials, including Rosenstein. Rumors have swirled in Washington that Trump, upset over the cloud that the special counsel has cast over his presidency, is looking to get rid of both Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
However, the President said Sunday that he has “no intention” of shutting down the probe.
Mueller has so far secured more than two dozen indictments or guilty pleas.