Gates: Mueller could ‘elate some people and anger some people’ with findings

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates predicted this week that special counsel Robert Mueller’s conclusions in the Russia probe could “elate” some people while angering others. 

“People need to be prepared that a guy like Bob Mueller may come to a different conclusion that will elate some people and anger some people,” Gates told NBC’s “Meet the Press” in an interview airing on Sunday. 

Gates, who served under former Presidents George W. Bush and Obama, expressed his confidence in Mueller as head of the investigation. 

{mosads}”The Bob Mueller I know is a man of extraordinary integrity and character. I can’t think of anybody who would do a more honest and stand-up job of conducting an investigation. And, you know, people need to be prepared, people are assuming he’s going to come to one conclusion,” he said. 

Mueller’s probe has moved closer into President Trump’s inner circle. 

The special counsel’s team has sat down with Trump’s former chief of staff Reince Priebus, his former press secretary Sean Spicer and current White House communications director Hope Hicks. 

Mueller is set to interview Trump’s former chief strategist, Stephen Bannon, next week. 

Trump himself has said he is looking forward to talking with Mueller, however, The New York Times reported Thursday that the president attempted to fire Mueller last June, but backed off after White House counsel Don McGahn refused Trump’s order and threatened to quit.

The president called the reports “fake news.”