Robert Mueller, who led the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election, has died at the age of 81, according to two people familiar with the matter. Mueller served as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2001 to 2013. In 2017, the US Department of Justice appointed him as special counsel to oversee an expanding inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 election, following the dismissal of FBI director James Comey by Donald Trump.
Mueller became FBI director in September 2001, just days before the September 11 attacks, and went on to lead the agency for 12 years. During his tenure, he oversaw major structural and cultural changes aimed at reshaping the bureau into a modern intelligence organisation focused on both national security and civil liberties. Under his leadership, FBI counterterrorism agents also raised concerns about abuses in secret detention facilities run by the Central Intelligence Agency following the 9/11 attacks.
The cause of death was not immediately known, although he had beenliving with Parkinson's diseasefor several years, the sources said.
Mueller returned to public service in 2017, when the US Department of Justice appointed him as special counsel to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election. The move came shortly after President Donald Trump dismissed FBI director James Comey, who had been overseeing aspects of the inquiry.
Robert Mueller had served as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2001 to 2013. (Photo: AP)
His probe had led to charges against people linked to Trump's election campaign and Russian operatives who were accused of carrying out a disinformation effort. Among those prosecuted were former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, former national security adviser Michael Flynn, and political adviser Roger Stone.
Reacting to the news, Trump, via a post on Truth Social, said: "Robert Mueller just died. Good, I'm glad he's dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!"
Mueller's investigation became a focal point of political debate in the United States. While some praised the inquiry, others, including Trump, repeatedly criticised it, at times describing it as a “witch hunt”.
In his final report, Mueller did not establish a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia. On the question of obstruction of justice, he said he could neither fully exonerate nor accuse the president, noting longstanding Justice Department guidance that a sitting president cannot be indicted.
GetLatest NewsLive on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines fromUS Newsand around theWorld.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
