A conflict has arisen between President Trump’s legal team and Robert Mueller, the Special Counsel, over the timeline of the commencement of a federal investigation into potential Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The inquiry is expected to start soon, but there is debate over whether it will begin before or after the midterm elections. Trump and his attorneys are eager to have the probe wrapped up quickly, but Mueller is playing it cautiously. The clash between the two sides will likely shape the timeline of the investigation and could have consequences for both Trump and the United States’ political landscape.