Robert Mueller, former FBI Director and special counsel who investigated Russian election interference during Donald Trump's first presidential win, has died at age 81.
Foreign news agencies reported on 21 March 2026 that Robert Mueller, former Director of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election—a case that haunted Donald Trump throughout his first presidential term—has died at the age of 81.
The cause of Mueller's death has not yet been disclosed. His family issued a statement saying, “We regret to announce that Bob (Mueller's nickname) passed away on Friday night (20 March).” They also requested privacy during this difficult time.
Mueller served as FBI Director from 2001 to 2013, assuming the role just days before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He was widely praised for transforming the FBI into a modern counterterrorism agency.
In the 2016 election, Donald Trump unexpectedly defeated Hillary Clinton. U.S. intelligence agencies accused Russia of interfering in the election to undermine Clinton’s campaign and support Trump.
Mueller led the investigation and concluded that Russia systematically interfered to help Donald Trump through hacking and social media manipulation. However, he found insufficient evidence to charge Trump's campaign with illegal collusion, despite numerous connections.
Trump has consistently denounced these allegations and Mueller’s investigation. Following news of the former FBI director’s death, the U.S. president immediately posted on Truth Social that
“Robert Mueller just died. Good riddance. I’m glad he’s dead. Now he can’t hurt innocent people anymore!” He signed off as “President Donald J. Trump.”
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Source:BBC