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Trump, GOP leaders seek swift end to Russia probes

President expects Mueller to publicly absolve him of wrongdoing by year’s end

By Chris Megerian, Noah Bierman and David S. Cloud, Tribune Washington Bureau
Published: December 15, 2017, 11:04pm

WASHINGTON — The White House and Republican lawmakers are pressing for an end to multiple investigations into the Trump campaign’s dealings with Russia, aiming to clear the president as soon as possible before the taint of scandal further damages his presidency.

President Donald Trump expects to be publicly absolved of any wrongdoing by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III by year’s end or soon after, and several people around him say the often-impulsive president could erupt in anger if that unlikely timeline is not met.

Some associates believe or hope that Trump will fire his three lawyers if he is not exonerated, opening the door for a more combative approach to the Mueller investigation, which Trump sees as an affront to his legitimacy.

Republicans leading House and Senate inquiries are pressing for a rapid conclusion to their own investigations of Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election. Finishing those would reinforce Trump’s argument that links between his team and Russian intelligence have been overhyped by the media and his political opponents.

“There is absolutely no collusion,” Trump told reporters Friday. “I didn’t make a phone call to Russia. I have nothing to do with Russia. Everybody knows it.”

Trump’s lawyers have repeatedly denied that Trump will try to fire Mueller, but Democrats fear the possibility and say Republicans are trying to undermine the special counsel’s investigation by pushing to end the congressional inquiries.

“Their view is that shutting down our investigation is a necessary prerequisite to shutting down Bob Mueller,” said Rep. Adam B. Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

Few outside experts believe that the Mueller inquiry into potential collusion with Russia and obstruction of justice will conclude by year’s end, as the White House hopes, given a recent flurry of interviews, indictments and plea agreements.

History shows that such investigations, from Watergate to Whitewater, tend to linger and expand, sometimes for years.

So far, Mueller has brought criminal charges against four former Trump associates. Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, and Richard Gates, his deputy, were indicted Oct. 30 on charges of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. Both pleaded not guilty and trial is set for May. Another former campaign aide, George Papadopoulos, has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.

Most important, Michael T. Flynn, who briefly served as Trump’s national security adviser, has also pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador during the presidential transition, and has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. His evidence could be crucial for prosecution of others in Trump’s orbit.

White House lawyer Ty Cobb said his timeline for a speedy end to the investigation is based on “optimism and instinct” and the “character of the special counsel and his sense of duty.” Mueller’s team has not publicly shared any schedule.

Another Trump lawyer, John Dowd, predicted that though Mueller may continue pursuing other individuals, “just the case for the president” will conclude by the end of the year.

Trump has told Republican lawmakers and friends recently that he is eager to see his part of the case end. If that doesn’t happen, some associates say, he could lash out.

Democrats are alarmed by any attempts to short-circuit the Mueller investigation, and have spun up fears that Trump will try to get the special counsel dismissed.

“We’re on the eve of a Mueller firing,” said Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif. “The best thing Congress could do would be to cement Mueller’s role.”

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