Robert Mueller dies at age 81 after a distinguished life of public service
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has died at the age of 81 after a distinguished career in law enforcement and military service.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, called President Donald Trump’s response to the death of former FBI director and special counsel Robert Mueller “disgusting,” after the president said he was “glad” to hear of Mueller’s death.
“It’s just disgusting. It’s so heartbreaking that we have a president who is rooting for the deaths of the American people,” Murphy said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on March 22. “Mr. Mueller is one of many who are trying to hold the president accountable.”
The former FBI director, who also served as special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, died last week at the age of 81. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2021.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Bob passed away last night,” Mueller’s family said in a March 21 statement.
President Trump reacted to the news in a social media post, telling his followers: “I’m glad he’s dead.”
“He can no longer hurt innocent people!” Trump added.
The post sparked a bipartisan backlash in Washington. “Trump’s goal is to distract you from rising gas prices, aimless wars, ICE abuse, and the Epstein file. Don’t give him what he wants,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) argued in a post on X.
Republican Rep. Don Bacon criticized the move in a text message to Politico, calling it a “wrong and unchristian act.”
Trump and Mueller’s feud stems from the former FBI director’s investigation and final report in 2019, which concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to aid Trump. However, there was no evidence that anyone associated with the Trump campaign at the time colluded with the Russian government.
Indeed, Mueller said in his 2019 report that his investigation did not clear Trump of obstruction of justice.
“This report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, but it also does not exonerate him,” Mueller said.
A thorough investigation of the former official shadowed much of Trump’s first term, and he was a frequent target of the president. President Trump says an investigation into ties between his first White House campaign and Moscow is a hoax.
Mueller’s Russia investigation has indicted 34 people, including six former Trump advisers, 26 Russians, a California man and a London-based lawyer. Seven people, including five of President Trump’s six former advisers, have pleaded guilty.
Mr. Mueller led the FBI from 2001 to 2003. He served in the Vietnam War as a United States Marine Corps officer and received several awards and commendations, including the Purple Heart.
Contributed by Jonathan Limehouse and Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY
