Robert Mueller Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease

Robert Mueller, the former U.S. special counsel who led the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, according to a statement from his family reported by The New York Times on August 31.

Mueller, now 80, was diagnosed in the summer of 2021, just months before he was called to testify before Congress about the government’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The congressional committee has since dropped its request for Mueller’s testimony.

The statement confirmed that Mueller retired from the practice of law in late 2021 and later taught at his alma mater for two semesters before fully retiring in 2022. His family has asked for privacy during this time.

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological condition that affects movement, often causing tremors, slowed motion, and balance problems.

Mueller’s career in public service spanned decades. He was appointed FBI Director in 2001 by President George W. Bush just one week before the September 11 terrorist attacks. Serving until 2013, his 12-year tenure was the second-longest in FBI history after J. Edgar Hoover.

A Marine Corps veteran who earned a Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam, Mueller was widely respected for his apolitical approach and dedication to the rule of law. His investigation into Russian election interference concluded that Russia had worked to help Donald Trump’s campaign but found no evidence of collusion between Trump’s team and Moscow.