Former FBI director Robert Mueller has died at the age of 81. He served a significant 12-year term as head of the bureau and was also a special counsel involved in the contentious Russian investigation that followed the 2016 election.
A spokesperson for Mueller shared, “With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away.” The family has requested privacy as they mourn his loss.
Details regarding the circumstances of his passing, including the location and cause, have not yet been disclosed.
In reaction to Mueller’s death, President Donald Trump expressed his sentiments via social media, stating, “Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!”
Mueller had been grappling with Parkinson’s disease since the summer of 2021. His family had announced that he retired from legal practice at the end of that year after a long and distinguished career. He also taught at his law school alma mater during the fall of 2021 and 2022, retiring after that.
Breaking: Robert Mueller, the FBI director and special counsel who investigated Russia-Trump campaign ties, dies at 81 Per AP pic.twitter.com/JI27dWzFS9
— OSZ (@OpenSourceZone) March 21, 2026
Born on August 7, 1944, Mueller served his country as a Marine officer in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star with Valor and a Purple Heart for his service. He completed his law degree at the University of Virginia in 1973.
Mueller’s legal career included roles as an assistant U.S. attorney and as assistant attorney general for the Criminal Division at the Department of Justice, where he tackled major cases involving notorious figures like Manuel Noriega and John Gotti.
From 1998 to 2001, he was the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California.
After being nominated by President George W. Bush in 2001, Mueller led the FBI, where he focused on reorganizing the agency in the wake of the September 11 attacks. His leadership extended until 2013, making his tenure the second-longest in agency history, which included a two-year extension granted by Congress.
In May 2017, Mueller was appointed as special counsel to investigate potential Russian interference in the 2016 election, which culminated in several indictments. However, his findings revealed no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.
The investigation’s report concluded that it “did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities.” Mueller officially stepped down from this position on May 29, 2019.
Subsequently, he partnered with WilmerHale law firm, working on select cases, including notable scandals involving the NFL and Volkswagen. He also engaged in teaching roles at Stanford University and returned to the University of Virginia School of Law before retiring from academia.
