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Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, a Republican who investigated ties between Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign and Russia, died on Friday, his family said. He was 81 years old.

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Mueller’s family issued a statement Saturday announcing his passing.

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“With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away last night. His family asks that their privacy be respected.”

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Last August, Mueller’s family told the New York Times that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the summer of 2021. He had difficulty speaking and experienced mobility issues last year, people familiar with his condition said at the time.

Trump celebrates death

Trump celebrated Mueller’s death on social media, saying he was “glad” the former FBI director had passed away.

“Robert Mueller just died,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!”

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Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Warner, of Virginia, said his thoughts are with Mueller’s family.

“Robert Mueller devoted his life to service — from the Marine Corps to leading the FBI and serving as Special Counsel,” Warner shared on X. “He believed deeply in the rule of law and the responsibility to uphold it. His legacy is one of integrity, duty, and strength of character.”

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FBI director under Bush and Obama

Former President George W. Bush nominated Mueller for director of the FBI in July 2001 and he was on the job one week before the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

He served as FBI director for 12 years after he was asked to extend his tenure by former President Barack Obama an extra two years.

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In May 2017, Mueller was named special counsel for the Department of Justice and launched a criminal investigation between associates who worked on Trump’s presidential campaign and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin about election interference.

The special counsel’s office concluded the investigation into Russian interference in March 2019 and sent a report to the Department of Justice.

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Then Attorney General William Barr filed a four-page letter to Congress detailing Russia’s efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election.

“[T]he investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities,” Barr quoted the report.

In regards to whether Trump obstructed justice, Barr said the report didn’t reach a conclusion, noting that Mueller wrote “while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.”

Charges against Trump’s associates

However, criminal charges were brought against six of Trump’s associates, including his campaign chairman Paul Manafort and first national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn.

During the investigation, the New York Times reported that Trump tried to fire Mueller as special counsel but backed off when White House lawyers threatened to quit.

In an April 2019 tweet, Trump said he had the right to “end the whole witch hunt” by firing Mueller.

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“I had the right to end the whole Witch Hunt if I wanted,” Trump wrote. “I could have fired everyone, including Mueller, if I wanted. I chose not to. I had the RIGHT to use Executive Privilege. I didn’t!”

Mueller leaves behind wife Ann Standish Mueller and their two daughters, Melissa and Cynthia.

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