White House lawyer Rudy Giuliani told The New York Times that special counsel Robert Mueller plans to finish his probe into “whether President Trump obstructed the Russia inquiry” by Sept. 1. Giuliani also said the date was contingent on the president agreeing to be interviewed by Mueller, as the White House and special counsel’s office go further into their interview negotiations. The Times reports Giuliani claimed the investigation running any longer than that date would “risk improperly influencing voters in the midterm elections in November,” and would also serve as a “distraction” for Trump.
