Trump celebrates death of ex-FBI chief Robert Mueller who probed his Russia ties: ‘Good, I’m glad’

Robert S. Mueller III, the sixth director of the FBI and the man who led the sweeping investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election, died on March 20 in Charlottesville at the age of 81, after battling Parkinson's disease since 2021. "With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away," his family said, requesting privacy.

A decorated Vietnam War veteran - Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal - Mueller served as FBI director from 2001 to 2013, guiding the bureau through its post-9/11 transformation. His term was extended by President Obama in a rare show of bipartisan trust.

In 2017, he was appointed special counsel to investigate Moscow's meddling in Trump's 2016 election campaign. The probe delivered 34 indictments and guilty pleas from key Trump associates including Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn . His 448-page report found Russia ran a "sweeping and systematic" influence campaign but stopped short of establishing criminal conspiracy or clearing Trump of obstruction of justice .

Trump, who had long called the investigation a "witch hunt" and reportedly sought to fire Mueller during the probe, responded to his death on Truth Social: "Robert Mueller just died. Good, I'm glad he's dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!" .The statement revealed more about Trump than it did about Mueller. For a sitting president to celebrate the death of a man who gave sixty years to his country is simply mean. But for most Americans, it wasn't shocking. Trump's ugliness toward those who crossed him has never been a secret.

Condemnation was swift. Senator Chuck Schumer said, "cruelty is the point." Senator Adam Schiff called it proof of Trump's "basic indecency." Rep. Seth Moulton , a fellow Marine veteran, called the comment "disgusting." The FBI Agents Association paid formal tribute. Even some Republicans, including Senator John Kennedy , acknowledged Mueller's earlier honorable service while distancing themselves from Trump's remarks.

Former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe , himself a Trump target, called Mueller "an absolute American hero and patriot ."

Mueller is survived by his wife Ann Standish, two daughters and several grandchildren.