Mueller may strategically delay announcing his decision on Trump obstruction charges

Special Counsel Robert Mueller is reportedly close to completing the portion of his investigation dealing with whether President Trump engaged in obstruction of justice. After several more interviews — most significantly with Trump himself — Mueller is expected to reach a conclusion on the obstruction question.

But don't except to hear about it any time soon. Releasing a decision, whether positive or negative, could hurt the rest of Mueller's probe, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing unnamed sources. It could push Trump to shutter the investigation altogether, or it could change witnesses' calculations about cooperation.

Because Mueller's team is looking into a broad array of individuals and events, the special counsel may strategically delay the obstruction news to protect other parts of his inquiry. Such a wait is unlikely to be welcome news to the Trump administration, as Trump's lawyers have repeatedly assured the president that the investigation is nearly finished.

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