Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates predicted this week that special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE'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.

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"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 Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE's inner circle.

The special counsel's team has sat down with Trump's former chief of staff Reince Priebus Reinhold (Reince) Richard PriebusLeaked audio shows Trump touted low Black voter turnout in 2016: report Meadows joins White House facing reelection challenges Trump names Mark Meadows as new chief of staff MORE, his former press secretary Sean Spicer Sean Michael SpicerKellyanne Conway to leave White House at end of month Pro-Trump duo Diamond and Silk launch new program on Newsmax TV The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Supreme Court's unanimous decision on the Electoral College MORE and current White House communications director Hope Hicks Hope Charlotte HicksSenate intel leaders said Trump associates may have presented misleading testimony during Russia probe: report Cuomo turned down Trump invitation to participate in April press briefing: report Trump shakes up White House communications team MORE.

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."