Robert Mueller, Former FBI Director and Special Counsel, Dies at 81

• •Robert Mueller passed away on March 20, 2026, at the age of 81.
• •He served as FBI director from 2001 to 2013, transforming the agency post-9/11.
• •Mueller's investigation into the Trump-Russia ties found Russian interference but no criminal conspiracy.

Robert S. Mueller III, the former FBI director and special counsel who investigated Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election, has died at the age of 81. His family announced that he passed away on March 20, 2026, and requested privacy during this time. Mueller served as FBI director from 2001 to 2013, overseeing the agency's transformation into a counterterrorism force after the September 11 attacks. He later led a high-profile investigation into ties between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia, which concluded that while Russia interfered in the election, there was insufficient evidence of a criminal conspiracy. His investigation faced significant political backlash, particularly from Trump, who referred to it as a 'witch hunt.' Mueller's death has prompted tributes from both former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, who praised his public service and commitment to the rule of law. His legacy includes significant reforms in the FBI and a contentious investigation that remains a pivotal moment in U.S. political history.