US Special Counsel Robert Mueller delivers a statement on his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election at the Department of Justice in Washington on May 29, 2019.
Jim Bourg | reuters
Robert Mueller, the former special counsel who investigated Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, died on Friday.
Mueller, also a former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was 81.
“With deep sadness, we share the news that Bob passed away Friday night,” his family said in a statement Saturday. “His family wants their privacy to be respected.”
MS Now first reported News on Saturday.
Mueller concluded in 2019 that Russia interfered in the election in an effort to influence voters toward President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign.
The Russia investigation and Mueller himself increasingly became lightning rods for Trump, who over the years has repeatedly called the investigation a “witch hunt” and a “hoax.”
Immediately after receiving information about Mueller’s death, Trump said satya social post“Well, I’m glad he’s dead.”
He added, “He can’t hurt innocent people anymore!”
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-The Associated Press contributed to this report.