Maybe it was the other way around. The collusion investigation was to distract from the deep state activities.
Looks like an attempt to keep real work from getting done. And yet, WINNING! Lots of tax dollars being wasted and abused.
Classic Clinton if you think about it. Jump out in front of pending scandal or controversy over illegal activities by accusing your opponents of doing it first.
The collusion investigation is pure deflection, just accuse the other side of what you are guilty of doing. Appointing Mueller was the masterstroke, his task is to mop it all up for them while everyone is looking the other way.