Dem senator warns Mueller against issuing Russia report near 2018 election

Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) on Sunday warned special counsel Robert Mueller against issuing a report on his findings in the ongoing investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election near the upcoming 2018 midterm elections. 

Speaking to radio host John Catsimatidis on New York radio station AM 970, Casey said he couldn’t make any assumptions about where the Mueller investigation is going in light of indictments issued on Friday. But he added that he would recommend Mueller not release a report on his findings near the midterms, when it would distract from elections or cause people to question the election’s integrity. 

“I don’t think we’ll know anywhere near the full story until [Mueller] issues his report,” Casey said. “But once you get into the summer, and you get close to the election, I think it’s a mistake for him to release it late. I think you should wait until after [the election]” Casey said. {mosads}

On Friday, Mueller’s team issued indictments against 13 Russian individuals for conspiracy to influence the U.S. elections in 2016, tying them to propaganda and misinformation efforts aimed at swaying the electorate in favor of President Trump. 

Top intelligence officials warned the Senate this week to expect further operations by Russia in 2018 to influence the upcoming midterm elections, that included probes of state electoral infrastructure.