No worries

President Donald Trump is privately striking a less agitated tone on the Russia investigation, sources say, even insisting he'll soon be cleared in writing.

[...]

In private conversations, Trump still speaks dismissively of the Russia investigation, referring to it as "bulls---" and proclaiming "I don't know any Russians!" multiple sources told CNN.

  CNN

Yeah.  In reality, he's scared tweetless.

"The President's mantra is 'All this Russia stuff, it's all going to wrap up soon.' He repeats it as fact," said one source who speaks to Trump. "Part of me is like -- 'Are you serious? You believe this?'"

[...]

Trump's legal team has told the President he will likely be cleared of wrongdoing in the coming months, according to a senior White House official and sources who have spoken with Trump.

Here's my take on that: That's what Trump is telling them. His lawyers aren't telling them that. And they probably aren't telling HIM that, either.

Three sources familiar with the President's recent conversations about the investigation said Trump has become convinced that he will receive a letter of exoneration.

Again, that's what he's saying. Doesn't mean he believes it. Maybe he does.

White House special counsel Ty Cobb and Trump's personal lawyer, John Dowd, are trying to prevent Trump from lashing out over the investigation, said a source who speaks with the President. "What they are trying to do is manage Trump. That's what everyone tries to do."

But a longtime friend of the President's said he believes Trump's attorneys have "lulled him into a false sense of security" -- which could be a dangerous game.

"I've known him long enough to know that disappointing him is a problem and they've built up a level of expectations for him that are unrealistic," the Trump friend said.

Could be true. But is he THAT stupid? He knows there have been four people charged already, and two of them are cooperating with the FBI.

Cobb insists the investigation is winding down and has said he expects the part of the probe that is scrutinizing the President and the White House will come to a close early next year.

"The special counsel has had the White House documents for some time now and has concluded all requested White House interviews. The President is confident based on the lack of evidence of any wrongdoing that he'll be treated appropriately by the special counsel and ideally in the near future," Cobb told CNN Sunday, though he acknowledged Mueller could request additional interviews with White House staff.

Attorneys public statements are for public consumption.  They don't indicate what the attorneys really believe.

[Cobb] said he and the President had never discussed a letter of exoneration and said he had "no idea" where Trump got the idea.

See what I'm saying?

Cobb's timeline predicting the end of Mueller's focus on the White House has repeatedly shifted. First, he said the investigation would end by Thanksgiving. Then, he said it would wrap up by the end of the year. Now, he's predicting early next year.

See what I'm saying?

"If you're Mueller and you want to have any shred of credibility, you have to find a way" to bring the investigation to a close, [Mark Corallo, a former spokesman for the President's legal team] said. "If you reach the conclusion that the President of the United States doesn't have anything to do with this...he's going to have to find some way to make that public. We're at that point now."

More bullshit for public consumption. Mueller will finish when he's finished, and then he'll let everybody know. He's not a guy who'll fold. He might get fired, but until such time, he'll keep his head in his work.

[Corallo] said he doubts Mueller would deliver a letter exonerating Trump before he has fully wrapped up his investigation.

Yeah. I DOUBT it, too.

One source who has spoken with the President said he seems to be unaware of the anxiety among staffers. "Everybody needs a pat on the back, some reassurances that the President is loyal to them, and he just doesn't do that well," the source said.

I'm guessing he doesn't do it at all. They're all paying for their own lawyers and sweating bullets, and he doesn't give a shit.  Loyalty in Trump's mind only goes one way.  If his staff don't know that by now, they're SOL.

"When you look at the committees, whether it's the Senate or the House, everybody -- my worst enemies, they walk out, they say, 'There is no collusion but we'll continue to look.' They're spending millions and millions of dollars. There's absolutely no collusion. I didn't make a phone call to Russia. I have nothing to do with Russia. Everybody knows it," Trump told reporters gathered on the South Lawn of the White House Friday. "We've got to get back to running a country."

Contrary to the President's claims, the congressional committees have not yet determined whether there is evidence the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians.

Oh, I think they have. They may know differently, but they've decided to clear him. Republicans hold all the cards.

In a private phone call with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in August, soon after the collapse of the health care bill in the Senate, Trump let his frustrations fly -- but not about the failure to repeal Obamacare. He railed against McConnell about the ongoing congressional probes, a call that devolved into the President shouting profanities at the majority leader, sources briefed on the call said. The two men have steered clear of discussing the Russia probe since, sources said.

He's not interested in "running a country". He's interested in advancing the Trump brand. And staying out of jail.

"From an investigatory perspective, the paralysis that can be injected by the opposite party controlling Congress is so significant," said Jennings, drawing on his experience in the Bush administration. "I hope there is an appreciation for the fact that this presidency could come to a complete standstill in less than one year."

If Trump isn't aware of that, the GOP is. And I shudder to think what they would be willing to do to prevent it.

One source worried Trump would have a "meltdown" if [he isn't assured he'll be exonerated].

"He'll try and fire Mueller and then be impeached," this person predicted.

We should be so lucky.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.