Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who was appointed as special counsel to prosecute President Donald Trump’s alleged “Russian collusion” back in 2016, has died at age 81. President Trump took to social media to celebrate his death.
“Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead,” the president posted on social media shortly after the death announcement. “He can no longer hurt innocent people!”
The caused of death has yet to be revealed, but Mueller had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease since the summer of 2021, at least, when he was diagnosed.
Born August 7, 1944, Mueller served in the Marines from 1966 to 1970 in the active component and in the reserves until 1980. After graduating from Princeton with a Bachelor of Arts in politics, Mueller volunteered to fight in Vietnam. He eventually rose to the rank of captain and led a rifle platoon in the Third Marine Division. For his service he was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor, a Purple Heart, and two Navy Commendation Medals. He was also awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal by the South Vietnamese government.
He then went on to get a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1973 and worked both as a litigator in private practice and as a federal prosecutor, eventually becoming the US Attorney for the District of Massachusetts (1986-1988) and then for San Francisco (1998-2001). He served as Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division of the Justice Department from 1990 to 1993 and was appointed by President George W. Bush as FBI Director in 2001, taking office just one week before 9/11.
Following his time as special counsel, Mueller returned to private life.
“With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away,” Mueller’s family announced to The Associated Press. “His family asks that their privacy be respected.”
