robert mueller, who led the special counsel investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and served as FBI director, has died. He was 81 and died on Friday (ET). The cause of death was not immediately known; he had been living with Parkinson’s disease for years.
Key facts and timeline
robert mueller served as FBI director from 2001 to 2013. The Justice Department appointed him special counsel in 2017 to oversee the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential campaign after then–FBI Director James Comey was fired. That two-year probe concluded in 2019 that Russia had interfered in the election with the intent of benefitting President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign. The announcement of Mueller’s death was made public after he had long battled Parkinson’s disease; the immediate cause of death has not been released.
Immediate reactions — Robert Mueller
Donald J. Trump, President, reacted on Saturday (ET) with direct statements about Mueller’s death: “Robert Mueller just died, ” he declared; and “Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!” Those comments came as public and political attention focused on the legacy of the Mueller probe and Mueller’s long public service.
Background in brief
Mueller volunteered for the Marines after graduating from Princeton and delayed service for a year to recover from an injured knee. His career in federal law enforcement culminated in a lengthy tenure leading the FBI and then overseeing a high-profile Justice Department investigation that shaped national debate and litigation for years.
What happens next
Official statements from the Justice Department and the FBI are expected as institutions that worked with Mueller process his death and prepare formal notices. Obituaries and reflections from colleagues, veterans of the investigation, and the legal community are likely to follow. This is a developing story; more details will be released as institutions and family make information available (all times referenced in this article are Eastern Time).
