Republicans are eager to declare Robert Mueller’s investigation and subsequent report null and void, thereby vindicating a president they believe was wrongly targeted. Evidence certainly does suggest Trump was a political target. Perhaps this should matter, but practically, it doesn’t. The origins of the investigation won’t change its conclusions.

Throughout Mueller’s congressional testimony, House GOP lawmakers pressed the former special counsel on the origins of the Russia probe, citing the FISA warrant that led to the FBI’s supervision of Trump campaign aide Carter Page, the Steele dossier, and Fusion GPS, the political firm that hired Steele. In doing so, Republicans hoped to point out the blatant abuse of power that resulted in Mueller’s two-year investigation, which they’ve argued was nothing more than a political hit job. But Mueller refused to answer any of these questions because they laid beyond his purview. House Republicans expected this, but continued to ask regardless.