CNN cites a source within the Justice Department saying Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has not put any pressure on Special Counsel Robert Mueller to finish his investigation by a certain date.
The source says, however, Mueller could be ready to wrap up by the end of the year.
"Mueller and his team have to provide a confidential report to Rosenstein at the end of the investigation," the source said. "As far as timing, the investigation is obviously ongoing, and I'd expect it to continue well after the midterms."
Rosenstein, who oversees the investigation, on Wednesday called the probe "appropriate and independent," in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, but declined to comment on when it would end.
How and when exactly Mueller's investigation will finally conclude has captured significant public attention as President Donald Trump fiercely maintains that his campaign did not collude with the Kremlin.
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One of the complicating factors surrounding its completion date, however, is the fact that [Trump's] legal team is still working on providing written answers to Mueller's questions. Additionally, his team has not reached a final agreement on whether the President will sit down for an interview about possible obstruction of justice related to his firing of FBI Director James Comey.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes the special counsel's team continues to use a special grand jury in Washington, is interviewing witnesses and has met with former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort at least nine times in recent weeks.
Mueller's not being pressured to wind down his probe immediately after midterms, source says (CNN)