Special counsel Robert Mueller could be done issuing subpoenas for the Russia investigation and his report will not be allowed to publicly disparage anyone not charged, according to a new report.
Jonathan Karl of ABC News cited a source as saying it is looking like Mueller and his team is finished subpoenaing people as part of the probe that began in 2017 over allegations the Trump campaign worked with the Russians to win the 2016 election.
Moreover, no new indictments are expected, Karl reports.
"The bottom line: Do not expect a harsh condemnation of President Donald Trump or any of his associates if they have not been charged with crimes," Karl writes.
This is not the first time Karl has downplayed the contents of the coming report from Mueller.
In January, he said the report is "almost certain to be anti-climatic."
Karl also cited a letter Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein wrote to then-Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley last year that gave some clues into the Russia probe.
"Punishing wrongdoers through judicial proceedings is only one part of the Department's mission," Rosenstein wrote. "We also have a duty to prevent the disclosure of information that would unfairly tarnish people who are not charged with crimes.
"In fact, disclosing uncharged allegations against American citizens without a law-enforcement need is considered to be a violation of a prosecutor's trust."
Rosenstein added later, "No matter who an investigation involves — an ordinary citizen, a local or state politician, a campaign official, a foreign agent, an officer of the federal legislative, executive, or judicial branch — agents and prosecutors are obligated to protect its confidentiality."
Trump has long said he did not collude with the Russians, and no evidence that indicates the opposite has been made public. It is still unclear when Mueller's investigation will wrap up.
"Sources familiar with the investigation believe there are no more indictments coming from the special counsel," Karl concludes. "If Mueller follows the guidance of the man who appointed him and supervised his investigation, he cannot publicly disparage those who have not been charged with a crime."