Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who led the bureau in the tumultuous decade after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and later served as special counsel in the politically charged probe of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, has died, his family announced. He was 81.
“With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away last night,” a family statement said. “His family asks that their privacy be respected.”
The FBI Agents Association mourned Mueller’s passing, noting he led the bureau “during a period of significant change and played an important role in strengthening its ability to confront evolving national security threats while maintaining its core criminal investigative mission.”
A spokesperson for the WilmerHale law firm, where Mueller was a partner, praised him as an “extraordinary leader and public servant and a person of the greatest integrity.” “His service to our country, including as a decorated officer in the Marine Corps, as FBI Director, and at the Department of Justice, was exemplary and inspiring,” the spokesperson added. “We are deeply proud that he was our partner.”
Mueller was the second-longest serving FBI director in the agency’s history and was widely regarded for steady leadership, dedication to the country and a focus on protecting national security.
Born in New York City on Aug. 7, 1944, Robert Swan Mueller III studied politics at Princeton University and earned a master’s degree in international relations from New York University. Motivated in part by the death of a classmate in the Vietnam War, Mueller enlisted in the Marines in 1968 and served two years in Vietnam as a platoon leader. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, two Commendation Medals and other honors.
After leaving the Marines in 1970 as a captain, Mueller attended the University of Virginia Law School, graduating in 1973. He then spent 28 years working as a U.S. attorney in San Francisco, Boston and Washington, D.C., and served three years in the Department of Justice Criminal Division. During his DOJ career, he investigated the Gambino crime family and prosecuted those responsible for the December 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight, as well as former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega.
On July 5, 2001, Mueller was appointed FBI director by President George W. Bush. His tenure saw the bureau shift focus from largely domestic investigations to confronting foreign terrorism after the 9/11 attacks, and he earned a reputation among agents for being no-nonsense. After serving a full 10-year term, Mueller stayed on for two additional years at President Barack Obama’s request, then returned to the private sector in 2013.
In May 2017, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Mueller special counsel to oversee the investigation into alleged Russian government efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election. The probe focused on the 2016 Donald Trump campaign and led to numerous high-profile indictments, including political consultant Roger Stone, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, and 32 others.
Mueller submitted his long-anticipated report in March 2019, which did not conclude that the Trump campaign had coordinated with the Russian government to affect the election’s outcome. He left the special counsel role two months later and returned to private life.
President Trump reacted on social media as news of Mueller’s death emerged. “Robert Mueller just died,” the president wrote. “Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!”
Trump’s remarks drew swift criticism on Capitol Hill. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said, “I think that that’s a sad statement about where we are in our political discourse to be honest with you. I certainly don’t celebrate the death of somebody who you could disagree maybe on certain matters, but this is a person who served this country and deserves more respect than that.” Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia said, “I join many Americans mourning the loss of Robert Mueller, he led a career of public service always committed to rule of law. I didn’t always agree with him, but I join many in mourning his passing.”
Speaking to the 2017 graduating class at Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts, Mueller advised students to live with “integrity, patience and humility.” “Whatever we do, we must act with honesty and with integrity, and regardless of your chosen career, you’re only as good as your word,” he said. “If you are not honest, your reputation will suffer, and once lost, a good reputation can never, ever be regained.”
Mueller is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Ann Cabell Standish, two daughters and five grandchildren.