Former FBI director who investigated Russian links to Trump's presidential campaign passes away at 81

Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who spearheaded a highly contentious investigation into Donald Trump, has passed away at the age of 81, prompting a triumphant response from the US president on Saturday.

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According to US media reports, which cited a statement from Mueller's family, he died on Friday, although the location and cause of death were not disclosed.

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Trump reacted swiftly to the news on Truth Social, posting: “Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!”

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Mueller had a 12-year tenure as FBI director, which began just days before the September 11, 2001, Al-Qaeda attacks on the United States, during which he worked to strengthen the bureau's counterterror mission.

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Following his time at the FBI, Mueller was appointed as a special counsel for the Justice Department to lead an investigation into whether Trump's presidential campaign colluded with Russia to secure his election.

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Between 2017 and 2019, Mueller worked behind the scenes, eventually testifying before Congress in July 2019 about the probe, which Trump frequently denounced as a “witch hunt.”

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The nationally televised hearing provided many Americans with their first glimpse of the former FBI director, who came across as a cautious career prosecutor who was testifying under duress and repeatedly referred to his comprehensive report when questioned by lawmakers.

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Mueller stated that his report did not exonerate Trump, but he generally deflected questions from lawmakers seeking to score political points for their respective parties.

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This approach was consistent with the career of a public servant who had spent four decades serving under both Democratic and Republican presidents.

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Prior to taking on the Russia investigation, Mueller, a decorated former Marine who was wounded in Vietnam, enjoyed a reputation in Washington for being a consummate professional.

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Then-FBI chief Christopher Wray, a Trump appointee, described Mueller in July 2019 as a “consummate professional and a straight shooter.”

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As a young prosecutor in San Francisco and Boston, Mueller handled cases involving murders, organized crime, and terror attacks, earning a reputation for being a skilled and fair prosecutor.

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During his time at the FBI, Mueller gained a reputation for being a demanding taskmaster who was respected by politicians from both parties.

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Two of his most notable prosecutions involved New York mobster John Gotti and General Manuel Noriega of Panama.

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After retiring in 2013, Mueller joined a private law practice in Washington, where he worked on official arbitrator missions.

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Trump's decision to fire James Comey, Mueller's successor at the FBI, in May 2017 led to Mueller being recalled to public service to lead the investigation into suspected Russian interference.

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Over the course of 22 months, Mueller's team issued charges against 34 individuals, including six Trump associates, and three companies.

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Robert Mueller was born on August 7, 1944, in New York City, and grew up on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

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He attended Princeton University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1966, before enlisting in the US Marines.

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As a Marine, Mueller earned a Bronze Star for valor and a Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.

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In 2001, Mueller took over as FBI director, tasked with reforming an agency beset by scandals, including the deception by FBI mole Robert Hanssen and the failure to turn over documents to Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh's attorneys.

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At the time, then-President George W. Bush and legislators agreed that Mueller was the right person to lead the bureau, with Republican Senator Jeff Sessions stating that “his skills should be a perfect match for the challenge.”

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Democrat Chuck Schumer also expressed his support, saying “Bob Mueller will give the FBI a major boost that will help it get back on its feet.”