Robert Mueller, who investigated allegations of Russian election meddling, dies at 81

Robert Mueller, a former FBI director who led the investigation into allegations of Russian meddling within the 2016 election, has died, his household confirmed to CBS Information on Saturday. He was 81.

“With deep disappointment, we’re sharing the information that Bob handed away” on Friday, his household mentioned in a press release, asking for his or her privateness to be revered.

A reason for dying was not shared. Mueller is survived by his spouse of almost 60 years, Ann Cabell Standish, their two daughters, and three grandchildren.

Mueller served as FBI director from 2001 to 2013. In 2017, the Justice Division appointed him particular counsel to research potential coordination between Russia and the Trump crew through the 2016 presidential election.

The almost two-year investigation resulted in seven responsible pleas and prices in opposition to 34 people, together with Trump allies Paul Manafort and Roger Stone, and three separate corporations. It didn’t discover that the Trump marketing campaign or anybody related to it conspired or coordinated with Russia to affect the 2016 election. The report detailed 10 cases during which President Trump might have obstructed justice, however didn’t conclude whether or not he had carried out so. 

President Trump often criticized the investigation as a “witch hunt.” On Saturday, Mr. Trump addressed Mueller’s dying on Fact Social. 

“Robert Mueller simply died. Good, I am glad he is lifeless. He can not damage harmless folks!” Mr. Trump wrote.  

Mueller was born in New York Metropolis and grew up exterior of Philadelphia. He graduated from Princeton College and served as a U.S. Marine Corps officer for 3 years through the Vietnam Warfare. Throughout his service, he led a rifle platoon and was awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Coronary heart and two Navy Commendation Medals. He then enrolled within the College of Virginia College of Legislation and graduated in 1973. 

Within the late Nineteen Seventies and thru the Eighties, Mueller labored as a U.S. Legal professional, rising rapidly by means of the ranks. In 1990, he was appointed the U.S. Assistant Legal professional Normal for the Division of Justice’s felony division. He oversaw high-profile prosecutions, together with these of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega and New York crime boss John Gotti. 

In 2001, he was named director of the Federal Bureau of Intelligence. The September 11 assaults have been per week later. Mueller oversaw a large transformation of the bureau over the subsequent 12 years. He was identified for personally digging into the main points of bureau investigations, even on minor instances, and stunning brokers who all of a sudden discovered themselves on the telephone with him.

“The administration books will let you know that as the pinnacle of a corporation, you need to deal with the imaginative and prescient,” CBS Information beforehand quoted Mueller as saying. However “for me, there have been and are at this time these areas the place one must be considerably personally concerned.”

Mueller mentioned in 2012 that he “anticipated to deal with areas acquainted to me as a prosecutor — drug instances, white-collar felony instances and violent crime,” however as an alternative “needed to deal with long-term, strategic change.”

“We needed to improve our intelligence capabilities and improve our know-how. We needed to construct upon robust partnerships and forge new friendships, each right here at residence and overseas,” he mentioned.

The FBI Brokers Affiliation, a nonprofit and advocate of energetic and retired brokers, known as Mueller “a lifelong public servant” who led the company “throughout a interval of great change and performed an vital function in strengthening its capability to confront evolving nationwide safety threats whereas sustaining its core felony investigative mission.”

“The FBIAA extends its condolences to Director Mueller’s household and honors his dedication to public service and to the FBI’s mission,” the group mentioned in a press release to CBS Information.

Mueller led the FBI till 2013, when he was changed by Comey.

“Bob Mueller was a very good and trustworthy particular person and a rare American patriot. Could his instance encourage folks of integrity to serve our nation,” Comey mentioned in a press release on Saturday.

When he was named head of the Russia investigation, Republicans and Democrats alike praised Mueller as somebody broadly revered for his integrity and independence.

After the Russia probe ended, Mueller participated in a six-session course on the investigation on the College of Virginia College of Legislation. He additionally wrote the introduction for a e book by a high prosecutor who helped lead the investigation. 

In September 2025, Mueller was subpoenaed to testify in entrance of the Home Oversight Committee concerning the case involving convicted intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein, however the request was withdrawn as a result of new data on his well being, a committee aide advised CBS Information on the time. The aide mentioned that Mueller had “well being points that preclude him from with the ability to testify.”

The New York Instances reported in September 2025 that Mueller had Parkinson’s illness. His household advised the paper he was recognized with the situation in 2021.

Some U.S. lawmakers and political figures in Washington reacted to the information of Mueller’s dying, remembering him for his public service to the nation.

“I joined many Individuals mourning the lack of Robert Mueller. He led a profession of public service, all the time dedicated to the rule of legislation,” Sen. Mark Warner advised reporters on the Capitol. “I did not all the time agree with him, however I be part of many and mourning is passing.”

The Indiana Democrat mentioned he was dissatisfied within the tone of the president’s message, saying, “I suppose I should not be shocked anymore, but it surely nonetheless appears stunning.”