Special counsel Robert Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 elections does appear to be coming — but not as soon as you might think.
Contrary to recent news reports, a senior Justice Department official says Mueller will not be releasing his report this upcoming week. “Any reporting that Special Counsel Mueller’s report will be delivered to the Department of Justice next week are incorrect,” the official told several news outlets on Friday.
Media reports incorrect
This new information contradicts the reports of CNN, NBC News, the Washington Post, and others. These outlets, on Wednesday, published articles indicating that Attorney General William Barr was getting ready to receive Mueller’s report “early next week.”
“Attorney General Bill Barr is preparing to announce as early as next week the completion of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, with plans for Barr to submit to Congress soon after a summary of Mueller’s confidential report, according to people familiar with the plans,” reported CNN.
The outlet, however, did cover itself, writing, “The precise timing of the announcement is subject to change.” And, as with most premature reporting, change it did.
Time to wrap up
While the media has been predicting the close of the now 21-month investigation for some time now, it was acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker who, in January, suggested the end was imminent. “The investigation is, I think, close to being completed, and I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible,” he said.
But March is just about here, and Mueller is still investigating.
Nevertheless, those keeping a close eye on the situation point to what they believe are signs of the investigation’s close. These include reports of boxes being removed by prosecutors from Mueller’s office and of the grand jury not having met since the indictment of Roger Stone on January 24.
Mueller’s investigation, or “Witch Hunt,” as President Donald Trump calls it, is funded up to the end of the current federal fiscal year, September 30.
For the DOJ’s eyes only?
Regardless of when Mueller finally completes his report, it’s not a given that it will be made available to the public.
The report, when finished, will be submitted to the DOJ and Barr. From there it will be Barr’s decision as to how much of the report, if anything, is released to Congress and the public.
The Democrats have already been pressuring Barr to release as much as possible. But, as he has made clear, the sensitivity of the information contained therein will be paramount to his decision.
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