Robert Mueller, the former special counsel whose investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US election defined much of Donald Trump's first term in office, has died aged 81.
The cause of his death was not immediately clear, but CBS News confirmed it. Following the announcement, Mueller's family shared, With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away on Friday night. His family asks that their privacy be respected.
Mueller previously led the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 2001 to 2013, taking the office just days before the 11 September 2001 terror attacks. He is credited with reshaping it into a modern counterterrorism agency.
Mueller is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Ann Cabell Standish, their two daughters, and three grandchildren.
Mueller's special counsel inquiry scrutinized Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, drawing severe criticism from the president. In a controversial statement on Truth Social, Trump reflected on Mueller's death: I'm glad he's dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!
Meanwhile, both of the presidents he served under as FBI director—George W. Bush and Barack Obama—paid tribute to him. Bush expressed his sorrow, noting Mueller's leadership in safeguarding the homeland post-9/11, while Obama called him one of the finest directors in the history of the FBI, praising his commitment to the rule of law.
Mueller was born in 1944 and served in the Marines during the Vietnam War, receiving commendations for his bravery, including the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. After earning a law degree from the University of Virginia, he became the sixth director of the FBI in 2001, steering it through over a decade of significant transitions until his retirement in 2013.
His investigation into Russian electoral interference spanned from May 2017 to March 2019, resulting in multiple indictments and the infamous Mueller Report, which detailed Russian interference but did not definitively conclude collusion with the Trump campaign.
Colleagues have praised Mueller for his integrity and steadfastness in difficult times, reaffirming the significant impact he has made in American law enforcement and investigations.
