Robert Mueller, Former FBI Director and Special Counsel, 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 U.S. Election, died on Friday at the age of 81. His family confirmed his passing on Saturday, sharing that he died on Friday night, and requested privacy CBS News reported.

A Career of Public Service

Mueller served as FBI director from 2001 to 2013, taking office just days before the September 11th terrorist attacks. He is credited with significantly reshaping the FBI to focus on counterterrorism BBC News. Prior to leading the FBI, Mueller was a U.S. Marine Corps officer during the Vietnam War, earning a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and two Navy Commendation Medals CBS News.

He later graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1973 and began a career as a prosecutor, handling cases in San Francisco and Boston before returning to Washington, D.C. To prosecute homicides NPR.

The Russia Investigation and Its Aftermath

In 2017, Mueller was appointed as special counsel by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to investigate potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential election CBS News. The nearly two-year investigation resulted in guilty pleas and charges against 34 individuals, including Paul Manafort and Roger Stone, and three companies CBS News.

The investigation did not establish a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. Still, the resulting “Mueller report” detailed ten instances where President Trump may have obstructed justice, but did not conclude whether he had done so CBS News. Mueller testified before Congress about the report, stating that the Justice Department guidelines prevented him from charging a sitting president with criminal wrongdoing NPR.

Reaction to Mueller’s Death

Former President Donald Trump reacted to Mueller’s death on social media, stating, “Quality, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!” CBS News.

President Barack Obama praised Mueller as “one of the finest directors in the history of the FBI” and commended his commitment to the rule of law BBC News. Former FBI Director James Comey described Mueller as a “great American” and someone he was “lucky enough to learn from and stand beside” BBC News.

Robert Mueller is survived by his wife, Ann Cabell Standish, their two daughters, and three grandchildren CBS News. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease four years ago NPR.