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 stated in a press release, asking for his or her privateness to be revered.
A explanation 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 workforce through the 2016 presidential election.
The almost two-year investigation resulted in seven responsible pleas and expenses 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 situations wherein President Trump might have obstructed justice, however didn’t conclude whether or not he had finished so.
President Trump ceaselessly 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 harm harmless individuals!” Mr. Trump wrote.
Carolyn Kaster / AP 
Former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush gave their condolences to the Mueller household later Saturday, recognizing Mueller’s a long time of public service.
“Bob Mueller was one of many most interesting administrators within the historical past of the FBI, reworking the bureau after 9/11 and saving numerous lives,” Obama stated in a assertion posted on X. “But it surely was his relentless dedication to the rule of regulation and his unwavering perception in our bedrock values that made him one of the crucial revered public servants of our time. Michelle and I ship our condolences to Bob’s household, and everybody who knew and admired him.”
In a press release via the George W. Bush Presidential Middle, Bush stated Mueller led the FBI “successfully, serving to forestall one other terrorist assault on U.S. soil. Laura and I ship our heartfelt sympathy to his spouse of almost 60 years, Ann, and the Mueller household.”
Former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who served within the publish from 2017 till January 2025, stated in a press release supplied to CBS Information that he was “deeply saddened to study” of Mueller’s dying, saying that Mueller “embodied the advantage of prioritizing service to the nation over self, and he at all times put the mission first.”
Mueller was born in New York Metropolis and grew up outdoors of Philadelphia. He graduated from Princeton College and served as a U.S. Marine Corps officer for 3 years through the Vietnam Conflict. 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. Lawyer, rising shortly via the ranks. In 1990, he was appointed the U.S. Assistant Lawyer Basic for the Division of Justice’s legal 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 had been every week later. Mueller oversaw an enormous transformation of the bureau over the following 12 years. He was identified for personally digging into the main points of bureau investigations, even on minor instances, and shocking brokers who out of the blue discovered themselves on the telephone with him.
“The administration books will inform you that as the top of a company, you must concentrate on the imaginative and prescient,” CBS Information beforehand quoted Mueller as saying. However “for me, there have been and are in the present day these areas the place one must be considerably personally concerned.”
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Mueller stated in 2012 that he “anticipated to concentrate on areas acquainted to me as a prosecutor — drug instances, white-collar legal instances and violent crime,” however as an alternative “needed to concentrate on long-term, strategic change.”
“We needed to improve our intelligence capabilities and improve our expertise. We needed to construct upon sturdy partnerships and forge new friendships, each right here at residence and overseas,” he stated.
The FBI Brokers Affiliation, a nonprofit and advocate of lively and retired brokers, referred to as Mueller “a lifelong public servant” who led the company “throughout a interval of great change and performed an necessary position in strengthening its capacity to confront evolving nationwide safety threats whereas sustaining its core legal 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 stated 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 sincere individual and a rare American patriot. Might his instance encourage individuals of integrity to serve our nation,” Comey stated in a press release on Saturday.
When he was named head of the Russia investigation, Republicans and Democrats alike praised Mueller as somebody extensively 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 ebook by a high prosecutor who helped lead the investigation.
In September 2025, Mueller was subpoenaed to testify in entrance of the Home Oversight Committee in regards to the case involving convicted intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein, however the request was withdrawn attributable to new data on his well being, a committee aide informed CBS Information on the time. The aide stated that Mueller had “well being points that preclude him from having the ability to testify.”
The New York Occasions reported in September 2025 that Mueller had Parkinson’s illness. His household informed the paper he was identified with the situation in 2021.
Some U.S. lawmakers and political figures in Washington additionally reacted to the information of Mueller’s dying, remembering him for his public service to the nation.
“I joined many People mourning the lack of Robert Mueller. He led a profession of public service, at all times dedicated to the rule of regulation,” Sen. Mark Warner informed reporters on the Capitol. “I did not at all times agree with him, however I be part of many and mourning is passing.”
The Virginia Democrat stated 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 surprising.”
