Robert Mueller (file photo)
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who led the high-level investigation into alleged ties between Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia, has died at the age of 81.“With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away last night,” his family said in a statement Saturday, requesting privacy, CNN reports. Mueller was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2021.Mueller, who was a widely respected figure across all parties during his career, served as FBI director for 12 years after being appointed by George W. Bush in 2001 and later asked by Barack Obama to extend his tenure. That J. Became the longest serving FBI chief since Edgar Hoover.He was appointed as special counsel in 2017 to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 US election and possible ties to the Trump campaign. A 2019 report alleged multiple contacts between Trump associates and Russian officials, stating that the campaign “hoped it would lead to an electoral advantage” from information released through Russian efforts.However, Mueller did not establish any criminal conspiracy between the campaign and Russia. He also declined to charge Trump with obstruction of justice, citing Justice Department guidelines against convicting a sitting president. “If we believed that the President clearly committed no crime, we would say so,” Mueller said at the time.The investigation resulted in charges against 37 individuals and entities, including the indictment or conviction of several Trump associates, including Paul Manafort, Michael Flynn, and Michael Cohen. Nevertheless, the investigation became deeply polarizing, with Trump repeatedly calling it a “witch hunt.”Responding to Mueller’s death, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Robert Mueller just died. Well, I’m glad he’s dead. He can’t hurt innocent people anymore!”Beyond the Russia investigation, Mueller had a long career in public service. A decorated Marine veteran of the Vietnam War, he later rose through the Justice Department, overseeing major prosecutions including Manuel Noriega and John Gotti. He also played a key role in the investigation of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.As FBI Director, Mueller led the bureau after the September 11 attacks, overseeing a major shift in counterterrorism direction and expanding surveillance powers under the Patriot Act.In later years, he warned that foreign election interference could become a persistent threat. “I hope this is not the new normal. But I fear it is,” he told Congress in 2019.