Robert Mueller, the former FBI director and special counsel who led the high-profile investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and the possible obstruction of justice by Donald Trump, died on Friday at 81.
“With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away,” his family said in a statement Saturday shared with NPR.
While no cause of death was given, Mueller’s family shared last August that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease four years ago.
Mueller’s family told The New York Times in August that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. n.pr/4uOs5gw
— NPR (@npr.org) March 21, 2026 at 11:06 AM
In addition to his career with the Justice Department and the FBI, Mueller was a Marine veteran who received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart among other numerous medals.
From NPR:
Mueller was raised in Philadelphia and graduated from Princeton University in 1966. He received a master’s degree in international relations from New York University.
Mueller, throughout his career, ran toward tough assignments. Following the lead of a classmate at Princeton, Mueller enrolled in the Marines and served in the Vietnam war. He earned the Bronze Star for rescuing a colleague.
He joined the Justice Department in 1976. There, he prosecuted crimes, big and small, for U.S. attorneys in San Francisco and Boston. He later became a senior litigator prosecuting homicides at the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington, D.C.
In 2001, President George W. Bush nominated him to serve as the director of the FBI. Mueller was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve a FBI director in 2001. He was sworn in a week before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He left the bureau in 2013.
Bob Mueller was one of the finest directors in the history of the FBI, transforming the bureau after 9/11 and saving countless lives. But it was his relentless commitment to the rule of law and his unwavering belief in our bedrock values that made him one of the most respected…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 21, 2026
President Bush on the life and service of Robert Mueller. pic.twitter.com/Eqyat7wxcx
— Kelly O’Donnell (@KellyO) March 21, 2026
In May 2017, Mueller was appointed as special counsel to oversee an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible connections to Trump associates.
In March 2019, Mueller turned in his 400-page report which did not establish collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government.
But the investigation did find there was “sweeping and systemic” interference by Russia during the election including a social media “information warfare” campaign that favored Trump. Trump hated the idea that anyone would think he didn’t win the election on his own.
During testimony before Congress, Mueller noted that Justice Department guidelines didn’t allow for charging a sitting president. And he was clear Trump had not been “fully exonerated.”
“If we had had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so,” Mueller told Congress.
Trump, in a wholly classless response to the news of Mueller’s passing, celebrated his death on Saturday.
“Good, I’m glad he’s dead,” the Donald posted on social media. “He can no longer hurt innocent people!”
To speak this way about any veteran is reprehensible, especially when you are the Commander-in-Chief. Shame on Trump.
The cruelty is the point. Trump’s goal is to distract you from rising gas prices, his aimless war, ICE abuses, and the Epstein files. Don’t give him what he wants.
And may Robert Mueller, a US Marine and lifelong public servant, rest in peace. https://t.co/C51NTOt2rq
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 21, 2026
No matter your political affiliation, decency matters.
To celebrate the death of a veteran and public servant is unconscionable for anyone, let alone the President.
I am thinking of Robert Mueller’s family today as they grieve his passing and honor his memory. https://t.co/IBZ8J5BXNW
— Congresswoman Sarah McBride (@Rep_McBride) March 21, 2026
We mourn the passing of Robert Mueller, a true public servant: bronze star Vietnam veteran, federal prosecutor, FBI Director, and impartial special counsel.
Yet the President of the United States disgustingly celebrates Mueller’s death simply because he exposed Trump’s efforts…
— Rep. Dan Goldman (@RepDanGoldman) March 21, 2026
Trump and Robert Mueller were born two years apart, both into wealthy families and both with private school upbringings.
Trump received five draft deferments during Vietnam and became a parasitic real estate baron.
Mueller volunteered for service, graduated from Officer…
— Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) March 21, 2026
This is the kind of stuff Trump does that makes people not just oppose him but hate him. There was no need to say anything. https://t.co/nrWjtq4YXc
— Brit Hume (@brithume) March 21, 2026
Whether you support the President or not, you know this comment is disgusting.
Robert Mueller earned a Bronze Star with valor and a Purple Heart as a Marine fighting for this country. He was a great American.
Donald Trump is a horrible human being and an embarrassment to the… pic.twitter.com/Qe9EeaxnxO
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) March 21, 2026
I expect every Republican who was outraged at people for celebrating Charlie Kirk’s death to immediately condemn Trump for saying “I’m glad he’s dead” about Robert Mueller. This is disgusting. pic.twitter.com/Ow2fxyKyR3
— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) March 21, 2026
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