Robert Mueller's statement will be 'substantial' and not a response to Michael Wolff's book: WaPo

The Washington Post is reporting that special counsel Robert Mueller is expected to make a "substantial" statement at the Department of Justice on Wednesday and that it won't just be a refutation of reporter Michael Wolff's controversial new book claiming that Mueller had drawn up an indictment against President Donald Trump for obstructing justice.

Additionally, the Post reports that "the White House was notified Tuesday night that Mueller planned to make a statement on Wednesday, according to a senior White House official."

According to the DOJ, Mueller is scheduled to make his statement at 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday. However, the DOJ also emphasizes that “this will be a statement only, no question and answer period to follow.”

Mueller has maintained total public silence since turning in his final report summarizing his investigation back in March. The special counsel did not establish that the Trump campaign conspired with Russian officials to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, although he also pointedly declined to exonerate Trump for his efforts to obstruct his probe.

Mueller also privately criticized Attorney General Bill Barr for his four-page summary of his lengthy report, which he said in a letter to the AG didn’t capture the full scope of his investigation’s findings.

Congress has been trying to get Mueller to testify under oath about his probe, but the special counsel is reportedly worried that giving public testimony will create a political spectacle.