Sunday shows preview: Mueller report in spotlight

Special counsel Robert Mueller’s final report is expected to be in the spotlight Sunday as lawmakers hit the morning show circuit amid debate over how much of the report will be made public when it is finally submitted.

There was broad speculation this week that Mueller was wrapping up his probe into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, with news reports indicating that he was prepared to submit his findings as soon as next week.

A Justice Department official said Friday that the Mueller report will not be delivered next week, though Democrats have already put pressure on the department to release as much of the Mueller document as possible when it is submitted.{mosads}

Six Democratic House committee chairmen sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr this week demanding the probe’s final conclusions be released “without delay and to the maximum extent permitted by law.” 

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a signatory of the letter, will appear on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday to discuss the Russia probe. His committee also has an open inquiry into Russian electoral interference.

Former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe will also appear on “This Week.” McCabe, who is on a media tour promoting his new book, said in an interview earlier this month that senior officials discussed the possibility of removing President Trump under the 25th Amendment following concerns over the president’s possible ties to Russia. McCabe later said that Deputy Attorney Attorney General Rod Rosenstein “mentioned” the topic but said he wasn’t aware if he took any action on it.

Trump has ramped up his criticism of McCabe and the Department of Justice in recent weeks, particularly after McCabe’s interview on “60 Minutes” and a New York Times report examining the litany of ways the president has sought to undermine Mueller’s probe. The Senate confirmed Barr as attorney general last week to oversee the probe.

The Trump administration’s foreign policy is also expected to be in the spotlight on the Sunday shows this week as violence spreads in Venezuela amid a standoff over international humanitarian aid at the border that the U.S. has demanded be let in. The White House is also preparing for President Trump’s second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which is set to take place on Wednesday and Thursday.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is slated to appear on CNN’s “State of the Union” and Fox News’ “Fox News Sunday” to discuss developments regarding Venezuela and North Korea. He will also appear just two days after Trump named Kelly Craft, the current U.S. ambassador to Canada, as his pick to become the next top U.S. diplomat to the United Nations.

Washington is also gearing up for days of testimony on Capitol Hill from former longtime Trump lawyer Michael Cohen next week as well as a vote on a Democratic-led resolution to block Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the border. Trump has vowed to veto the measure if it passes both chambers of Congress.

Here’s the full Sunday show lineup: 

ABC’s “This Week” — Schiff, McCabe

NBC’s “Meet the Press” — Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.).

CBS’ “Face the Nation” — Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), Govs. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) and Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.).

CNN’s “State of the Union” — Pompeo. 

“Fox News Sunday” — Pompeo; Tom Perez, Democratic National Committee chairman.