The multiple investigations are looking into
different aspects of Russia’s efforts to
influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
The most consequential investigation could
be the one led by former FBI Director Robert Mueller.
In May 2017, the Justice Department named
Mueller as special counsel to investigate
Moscow’s interference in the 2016 election
— and whether Trump campaign associates collaborated
with the Russian government to influence the
outcome.
Mueller has the power to press criminal charges
… and his inquiry has reportedly expanded
to include whether President Trump sought
to obstruct a federal investigation … in
allegedly trying to curtail the FBI probe
into ties between Russia and Trump's first
national security adviser — Michael Flynn.
Now, it’s important to note that a special counsel’s work is done in private.
So whatever Mueller’s investigation discovers
may never become public … unless Mueller
decides to bring criminal charges.
Even then, the information he releases would
be specific to a criminal case.
In addition to the special counsel probe,
there are several going on in Congress.
The most prominent are fact-finding investigations
being conducted
by the Senate and House intelligence committees.
The Senate committee says it's looking at
Russia’s cyberactivity during the 2016
election, potential connections between Trump
associates and the Russian government as
well as the U.S. response to the Russian interference
and how similar attacks can be prevented in
the future.
The House Intelligence Committee’s Russia
investigation is similar in scope …
and is also focused on related leaks of classified information.
Both intelligence committees are expected to produce detailed reports, summing up their findings.
These congressional investigations are viewed
as the public’s best chance to learn how
Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential
election … and whether anyone connected to
President Trump was involved.
But that could take awhile … since it could
be a year or longer before any of these investigations
comes to a close.
