Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker says Mueller investigation is almost over

Matthew Whitaker revealed an interesting detail about the Mueller investigation in a news conference

By Nicole Karlis

Senior Writer

Published January 28, 2019 8:23PM (EST)

Donald Trump; Robert Mueller; Matthew Whitaker (AP/Salon)
Donald Trump; Robert Mueller; Matthew Whitaker (AP/Salon)

During a Monday news conference to announce the Justice Department's indictments against Huawei, a Chinese technology firm, Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker revealed an interesting tidbit about Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation.

“I have been fully briefed on the investigation and I look forward to Director Mueller delivering the final report,” Whitaker said, according to the Washington Post. “I am comfortable that the decisions that were made are going to be reviewed. . . . Right now, you know, the investigation is, I think, close to being completed.”

According to the report, which has been corroborated by other news outlets, Whitaker commented on the probe when he was asked about his own view of the investigation, in light of critical comments he made in the past. 

NBC News reported previously reported that Special Counsel Robert Mueller could submit a confidential report to the attorney general as early as mid-February.  A lawyer who had been in communication with Mueller's team told NBC News: "They clearly are tying up loose ends."

The Washington Post noted this is the first time a senior law enforcement official has remarked on the investigation this extensively in months. It also follows an indictment of infamous GOP strategist Roger Stone. Meanwhile, bipartisan legislation was filed today that would require Special Counsel Mueller to summarize the findings in a report for the public, and Congress. The effort is led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

"Our legislation would guarantee that every special counsel does a report complete with findings and evidence -- and that it be directly disclosed to Congress and the American people," Blumenthal said in a statement. "A report would be required whenever a special counsel finishes the investigation, is fired, or resigns, assuring that the results cannot be sealed or selectively censored."


By Nicole Karlis

Nicole Karlis is a senior writer at Salon, specializing in health and science. Tweet her @nicolekarlis.

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