Is special counsel Robert Mueller nearing the end of his investigation? There have been several signs in recent weeks to indicate that the two-year long probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election is drawing to a close. Government and elected officials, such as former acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who had his finger on the pulse of the investigation as Senate Judiciary Committee chairman in the last Congress, have indicated that a final report could come soon. Several top criminal prosecutors have left the special counsel to return to their day jobs. And now CNN, NBC and The Washington Post are reporting that the special counsel may submit its findings in a report to the Department of Justice (DOJ) by the end of this week or next. Here's what to watch for in the coming days and weeks… > Will anyone be charged with conspiracy? The Mueller probe has taken down several members of President Trump's campaign and inner circle, but most of the charges have pertained to personal financial corruption or lying to investigators. No one has been charged with crimes that go to the heart of the Mueller probe – whether individuals associated with the Trump presidential campaign conspired with the Russian government to interfere in the 2016 election. "I think the hope is that the Mueller investigation will clear the air on this issue once and for all. I'm really not sure it will, and the investigation, when completed, could turn out to be quite anti-climactic and not draw a conclusion about that." – Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper That would be a nightmare scenario for Democrats, and even for some in the media, who have a lot invested in the conspiracy allegations. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) is staffing up and has already vowed to continue investigating allegations of conspiracy. He's also swiped at the Mueller probe for not being thorough enough. > What report or reports will be issued and who will get to see them? Mueller's information, gathered as a special counsel in response to "the public interest," will be delivered to Attorney General William Barr. Barr could opt to make some or all of that report available to Congress and the public. He could make redacted portions available. Or he could summarize what he's learned and issue a statement. The DOJ could also decide not to release anything at all, although there will be intense public pressure for all of Mueller's findings to be released one way or another. If a report is released, readers will be eager to learn if Mueller describes evidence of misconduct that did not lead to criminal charges. Wired: 7 scenarios for how the Mueller probe might wrap up. The Economist: Much of the Mueller report is already public. > What will Barr do next? The attorney general will feel pressure from the right, and maybe from the president, to probe the origins of the FBI investigations into Trump. Conservatives will also demand that the DOJ look into former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe's claims that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein offered to wear a wire around the president. McCabe has said that FBI and DOJ officials discussed invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Trump. Eli Lake: Rosenstein has some serious explaining to do. > Mueller has passed along investigations that fall outside his purview to the Southern District of New York. One of those cases led to an investigation into Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen, who will begin a three-year prison sentence later this year. Does Mueller have any other investigations to pass along that could lead to lingering trouble for Trump and his business empire or inner circle? > Prosecutors will continue to litigate the case against former Trump adviser Roger Stone even after the larger investigation wraps. Stone is charged with lying to investigators, obstruction of justice and witness tampering. There is speculation that Stone coordinated with WikiLeaks to release campaign emails that were stolen from Democrats. Stone denies this, but Mueller has dropped hints into his court filings that other campaign officials may have been aware of what he was up to. More from the investigations front … Dems seize on Times bombshell to push allegations of Trump obstruction (The Hill) … Five things to know about Trump confidant Tom Barrack (The Hill). | 
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