It looks like President Donald Trump’s critics might not get the earth-shattering, presidency-destroying, nail-in-the-coffin FBI report confirming Russian collusion they were hoping for.
FBI special counsel Robert Mueller’s final report is apparently coming — after the midterm elections, of course. Several key findings, including whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to steal the 2016 election and whether the president obstructed justice, are expected to be released after ballots are cast. Media outlets hoping for a Watergate-style takedown of an American president they despise may not get what they want.
Politico reports that “defense lawyers working on the Russia probe and more than 15 former government officials with investigation experience spanning Watergate to the 2016 election case” tell them the report might not answer all the critics’ prayers.
“The public, they say, shouldn’t expect a comprehensive and presidency-wrecking account of Kremlin meddling and alleged obstruction of justice by Trump — not to mention an explanation of the myriad subplots that have bedeviled lawmakers, journalists and amateur Mueller sleuths,” Politico wrote. “Perhaps most unsatisfying: Mueller’s findings may never even see the light of day.”
Politico suggested Trump’s critics “may be in for a disappointment” when the report is finally finished.
Mueller, to the dismay of many, also is unlikely to speak publicly about the report, in clear contrast to former FBI Director James Comey, who famously broke protocol with a press conference announcing his findings on Hillary Clinton’s use of private emails. Mueller will send in a confidential report explaining why some people were indicted and others were not. As Politico notes, his reasonings may be as vague as “there wasn’t enough evidence” with no further explanation.
It will then be up to the DOJ whether the report will be made public.
If the report does indeed put an end to the “collusion” narrative pushed by the media since Trump was elected, don’t expect them to accept Mueller’s findings. They’ve latched onto this narrative to explain how a man they despise (now that he is a Republican) could have snatched victory from Hillary Clinton, and it’s hard to imagine they will give it up.