Is the End of Russiagate Near?

For John, BLUF:  There are all sorts of signs the Mueller Investigation is starting to wind down.  However, come January the Democratic Party Controlled House of Representatives will be raring to go.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Where Does the Trump-Russia Investigation Go from Here?

From The New Yorker, by Mr John Cassidy, 30 November 2018.

Here is the lede plus five:

By referring to Donald Trump as “Individual 1” in a criminal filing, and confirming that the President was involved in efforts to pursue a big Moscow real-estate deal deep into the 2016 campaign, the special counsel, Robert Mueller, appears to have set the Trump-Russia endgame in motion.  In thinking about how it will play out, there are at least four things to bear in mind, all of which the past few days have highlighted:  Mueller knows more than anybody else; he remains unlikely to bring criminal charges against Trump himself; the Republican leadership on Capitol Hill consists of invertebrates; and Trump is utterly shameless.

The comment about Special Counsel Robert Mueller knowing more than anyone else could apply to the narrow Russiagate hunt, as defined by the press.  Does it apply to the larger question of how we got here?  Where are we on the "Golden Showers" accusations?  The utter carelessness of the "home brew" server, who paid for the information used to secure FISA Warrents?

Yes, until President Trump leaves the Oval Office, the only recourse is Impeachment and Conviction, or the ballot box in 2020.  We do all know that, right?  Unless Mr Mueller is going to really slow roll the investigation he will not preside over indictments of former President Donald Trump.

I get the "invertebrates" reference, but it isn't like this is a unique moment in political history.

I also get that President Trump is shameless.  Unlike, say, President Clinton?  Please

One of the things I don't quite understand is what people (journalists and Democrats) thought Mr Trump was going to do for a job the day after he lost the election in November 2016—as we were assured he would?  What was he to do with his empire while running for an office he was going to lose?  He was going to lose, right?

I predict a partial report from Mr Mueller.  I will be disappointed, but not surprised.

Hat tip to The New Yorker.

Regards  —  Cliff