Chicago – March 21, 2026
Robert Swan Mueller III, the former FBI director and special counsel who led the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, died on March 20, 2026, at age 81.
Mueller, a Princeton and UVA Law graduate, served as a Marine Corps officer in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for valor. Appointed FBI director just days before 9/11 by President George W. Bush, he led the bureau for 12 years, transforming it into a counterterrorism powerhouse amid bipartisan support.
In 2017, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein named him special counsel to probe Trump campaign-Russia ties. His 2019 report detailed Russian election meddling but found no criminal conspiracy, while not exonerating President Trump on obstruction.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2021, Mueller’s family requested privacy, sharing their profound sadness. President Trump posted on Truth Social: “Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!” drawing widespread criticism.
Mueller’s stoic legacy spans prosecutions of mob bosses and terrorists, leaving an indelible mark on American justice.
