Is The Mueller Investigation Over?

Ken AshfordL'Affaire RusseLeave a Comment

From CNN:

Attorney General Bill Barr is preparing to announce as early as next week the completion of 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.

The preparations are the clearest indication yet that Mueller is nearly done with his almost two-year investigation.

The precise timing of the announcement is subject to change.

The scope and contours of what Barr will send to Congress remain unclear. Also unclear is how long it will take Justice officials to prepare what will be submitted to lawmakers.

But with President Donald Trump soon to travel overseas for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Justice officials are mindful of not interfering with the White House’s diplomatic efforts, which could impact the timing.

The Justice Department and the special counsel’s office declined to comment.

There seems to be a little freakout over this. And if I may be so bold, I think CNN has it wrong. There are too many outstanding issues, like the Roger Stone indictment and the subpoena of an as-yet-unknown foreign corporation.

It may be a little ploy by Mueller to let the new US Attorney General BIll Barr (today is his first full day as AG) that this is not a witchhunt, and he can’t wipe away the Mueller investigation without a serious political blowback.

I suspect it may be an “Urgent Report”….

United States Attorneys’ offices and Department litigating divisions must submit Urgent Reports to inform Department leadership, including the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General, of (1) major developments in significant investigations and litigation, (2) law enforcement emergencies, and (3) events affecting the Department that are likely to generate national media or Congressional attention. Urgent Reports should be brief but contain at least the following information:

A brief description of the general nature of the matter, emergency, or event, including possible crimes committed or claims involved;

A brief description of the major development being reported;

Potential targets, subjects, and parties in the matter;

The investigative and/or client agencies involved; and

The date of any prior, related Urgent Report, if any.

USAOs and Department litigating divisions should submit Urgent Reports at least three days in advance of anticipated developments or events to provide Department leadership with appropriate notice. In the event of unanticipated events and emergencies, USAOs and Department litigating divisions should submit Urgent Reports within 24 hours, absent exigent circumstances.

… rather than Mueller’s “final” Russia report.

But I could be wrong.

Here’s a clue:

What’s that about?

The Mueller people may be trying to protect their work, in case Barr tries to pull a Saturday Night Massacre and close down the investigation by raiding the special counsel’s office. That’s my guess.

Or… maybe it means they ARE done.

But I doubt it.

It’s also doubtful that Mueller is actually being SHUT DOWN by Barr, as some are speculating.