Robert Mueller, Former FBI Director and Russia Investigation Leader, Dies at 81

Robert Mueller, the former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and special counsel who led the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States presidential election, died on Friday at the age of 81.

A Career of Public Service

Born on August 7, 1944, in Latest York City, Mueller was raised in Philadelphia and graduated from Princeton University in 1966. He later earned a master’s degree in international relations from New York University. He served as a Marine Corps officer in the Vietnam War, earning a Bronze Star for his actions CNN.

Mueller began his legal career with the Department of Justice in 1976, serving as a prosecutor in San Francisco and Boston. He later held a position as a senior litigator prosecuting homicides in Washington, D.C.

FBI Director and 9/11

In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed Mueller as the director of the FBI, a role he assumed just a week before the September 11th terrorist attacks. He dramatically shifted the bureau’s focus to counterterrorism, expanding its headquarters and prioritizing preventative measures CNN.

Despite facing some criticism for errors during investigations, such as the anthrax attacks case, Mueller oversaw significant changes within the FBI during his tenure, which concluded in 2013.

Special Counsel Investigation

Mueller returned to the national spotlight in May 2017 when he was appointed as special counsel by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential connections between the Trump campaign and Russian officials. This followed the firing of FBI Director James Comey.

The investigation, often referred to as the “Russia probe,” resulted in a comprehensive report released in March 2019. The report detailed numerous contacts between the Trump campaign and individuals with ties to the Russian government, but did not establish sufficient evidence to conclude that the campaign conspired or coordinated with Russia to influence the election Wikipedia.

The report also presented evidence regarding potential obstruction of justice by President Trump, but did not reach a definitive conclusion on that matter. Mueller testified before Congress, stating that the Justice Department’s guidelines prevented him from charging a sitting president with a crime, but also refused to exonerate Trump Wikipedia.

The investigation led to charges against 37 individuals and entities, including Paul Manafort, Michael Flynn, and 25 Russians Wikipedia.

Reaction to Mueller’s Death

Former President Donald Trump publicly celebrated Mueller’s death on Saturday, posting on social media, “Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!”

WilmerHale, the law firm where Mueller was a partner, remembered him as “an extraordinary leader and public servant and a person of the greatest integrity.”

Mueller was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease four years ago, according to his family NPR.