Former FBI director and special counsel Robert Mueller, who led the investigation into alleged links between Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia, has died at the age of 81.
His family confirmed his death in a statement.
“With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away last night,” the family said, asking for privacy.
CNN reports Mueller’s family revealed last year that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2021.
Mueller was widely respected across political lines during much of his career in public service. He was appointed director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation by former US president George W. Bush just days before the September 11 attacks in 2001.
He served for 12 years, becoming the longest-serving FBI director since J. Edgar Hoover. During his tenure he oversaw a major shift in the agency’s priorities, focusing heavily on counter-terrorism after the 9/11 attacks.
Later, in 2017, Mueller was appointed special counsel to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 United States presidential election and possible links between Moscow and Trump’s campaign.
The investigation resulted in a 448-page report released in 2019. It found numerous contacts between Trump campaign officials and Russian figures and confirmed that Russia interfered in the election.
However, Mueller said investigators did not establish that the Trump campaign conspired with Russia. He also declined to charge Trump with obstruction of justice, citing Justice Department guidelines that prohibit indicting a sitting president.
The probe led to charges against 37 individuals and entities, including several Trump associates such as Paul Manafort, Roger Stone and Michael Flynn.
Despite his reputation for integrity, Mueller faced intense criticism from Trump and his allies, who repeatedly described the investigation as a “witch hunt.”
Following news of Mueller’s death,
Trump posted Saturday on social media about Mueller minutes after his death was announced.
“Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead,” Trump wrote, adding, “He can no longer hurt innocent people!”
Meanwhile former US Presidents were as expected positive.
Barrack Obama called him “one of the finest directors in the history of the FBI,” praising his “relentless commitment to the rule of law and saved many lives” George. W Bush emphasized Mueller’s effective leadership in preventing further terrorist attacks and expressed sympathy to his wife Ann and family.
Before his career in law enforcement, Mueller served as a Marine in the Vietnam War and received several military honours, including a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
He later studied law and built a career in the Justice Department, where he handled major criminal prosecutions before becoming FBI director.
