Forty-one percent of Americans say special counsel Robert Mueller should wrap his federal investigation into possible ties between the form presidential campaign of Donald Trump and Russia before November’s midterm elections, according to a new American Barometer poll.
The survey, conducted by Hill.TV and the HarrisX polling company also found that 22 percent of respondents say Mueller should present his case and conclude his probe prior to the 2020 presidential election. Thirty-seven percent of those polled said Mueller should be allowed as much time as is needed to present his case and end the probe.
“I don’t think Mueller is susceptible to that kind of public pressure, for good or for bad,” Carl Cannon, the Washington editor of RealClearPolitics said during the Friday episode of “What America’s Thinking,” referring to Trump’s repeated calls for the special counsel to end his investigation as soon as possible.
Mueller’s timeframe to issue more indictments or announce other significant developments in his probe is quickly diminishing, with less than three months to go until the midterm elections. Mueller could face accusations of attempting to influence the election if he were to announce prominent developments within the probe too close to Election Day.
Mueller has made significant inroads in the probe since it began last year. The investigation has led to indictments or guilty pleas for 32 people and three Russian companies, including the indictments of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort on various bank fraud and other charges not connected to his work on the campaign, as well as Manafort’s former deputy, Richard Gates.
President Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos were also indicted as part of the probe.
Last month, twelve Russian nationals were indicted as part of the probe for their role in the 2016 hacking of the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) computer networks.
Trump and his allies have sought to discredit Mueller and his probe since its inception, denying any collusion between his campaign and the Kremlin.
The president’s attorney Rudy Giuliani on Wednesday urged Mueller to end the probe before the midterm elections.
“CNN poll shows 66% say Mueller should complete his investigation before the upcoming elections. DOJ has policy to refrain from investigatory activity in 60 day period before election. DOJ should require Mueller to submit his report before September 7,” Giuliani tweeted.
CNN poll shows 66% say Mueller should complete his investigation before the upcoming elections. DOJ has policy to refrain from investigatory activity in 60 day period before election. DOJ should require Mueller to submit his report before September 7.
— Rudy Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) August 15, 2018
The president heightened his attacks on the probe earlier this month, calling on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to end the investigation.
“This is a terrible situation and Attorney General Jeff Sessions should stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now, before it continues to stain our country any further. Bob Mueller is totally conflicted, and his 17 Angry Democrats that are doing his dirty work are a disgrace to USA!” Trump tweeted.
..This is a terrible situation and Attorney General Jeff Sessions should stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now, before it continues to stain our country any further. Bob Mueller is totally conflicted, and his 17 Angry Democrats that are doing his dirty work are a disgrace to USA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 1, 2018
The American Barometer poll was conducted on August 12-13 among 999 registered voters. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
— Julia Manchester
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