Regardless of what Robert Mueller’s report contains, Americans can draw comfort from the fact that the special counsel completed it. In spite of numerous attempts by Donald Trump to interfere with Mr Mueller’s investigations — including at least two occasions where he reportedly tried to fire him — the special counsel was shielded from White House pressure. The system buckled but it did not break. That, in itself, is grounds for satisfaction.

But the story is far from over. The next phase will be about how much of it is made public. It is up to the attorney-general, William Barr, how much of the Mueller report’s “principal findings” will be published. As the nation’s most senior legal officer, Mr Barr’s duty is to resist any blandishments to redact portions damaging to the president. That is by no means a given. Mr Barr was partly chosen because he takes a robust view of executive privilege. Mr Trump liked the sound of a legal officer who would say no to Congress.

So far, all we know about Mr Mueller’s findings are that he has declined to add to the 37 people already charged as a result of his probe. Under one legal interpretation, a sitting US president cannot be indicted. That does not mean Mr Trump cannot be prosecuted after he leaves office. Either way, issuing an abbreviated summary would badly short-change the US public.