New Reports: Mueller Will Not Conclude Russia Probe Next Week

Just as multiple reports and a growing consensus in the media coalesced around the idea that Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report would be arriving quite soon, likely even next week, a wave of reports Friday emerged to contradict this view. It said that sources in the Justice Department now believe otherwise — Mueller’s report is definitely not coming next week.

“A DOJ official says that Mueller’s final report will NOT be delivered to the Justice Department today or anytime next week,” said Mike Levine of ABC News.

The Washington Post’s Devlin Barret confirmed: “Mueller’s report will not be delivered next week.”

CNN’s Laura Jarrett concurred.

It’s not clear if this is a change of plans or if initial reports were mistaken. One important thing to note about such reporting is that, while reporters are usually working in good faith and trying to relay what they believe is the best information, sources within the Justice Department and elsewhere have their own reasons for giving reporters the information they do. They’re affected by their own mistaken assumptions, biases, and agendas.

The other important thing to note about the Mueller investigation: We don’t really know anything for sure until it happens.