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{{short description|American attorney (born 1944)}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2017}} | |||
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{{similar names|Robert Muller (disambiguation)}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}} | |||
{{use American English|date=May 2017}} | {{use American English|date=May 2017}} | ||
{{about||the former airport in ]|Robert Mueller Municipal Airport|other people with this name and similar spellings|Robert Muller (disambiguation)}} | |||
{{Infobox officeholder | {{Infobox officeholder | ||
|name = Robert Mueller | | name = Robert Mueller | ||
|image = Director Robert S. Mueller- III.jpg | | image = Director Robert S. Mueller- III.jpg | ||
| caption = Official portrait, 2011 | |||
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|order1 = 6th | |||
| term_start1 = September 4, 2001 | |||
|office1 = Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation | |||
| term_end1 = September 4, 2013 | |||
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| president2 = George W. Bush | |||
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|predecessor3 = Michael Yamaguchi | |||
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| term_start4 = August 1990 | |||
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| predecessor4 = Edward Dennis | |||
|term_start4 = 1990 | |||
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|term_end4 = 1993 | |||
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|predecessor4 = Edward Dennis | |||
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| termlabel5 = Acting | |||
|office5 = ]<br>{{small|Acting}} | |||
| term_start5 = October 10, 1986 | |||
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| birth_name = Robert Swan Mueller III | |||
|successor5 = ] | |||
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1944|8|7}} | |||
|birth_name = Robert Swan Mueller III | |||
| birth_place = ], ], U.S. | |||
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1944|8|7}} | |||
| death_date = | |||
|birth_place = {{nowrap|], ], ]}} | |||
| |
| death_place = | ||
| party = ] | |||
|death_place = | |||
| spouse = {{marriage|Ann Cabell Standish|1966}} | |||
|party = ]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/07/30/fbi-nominee-lauded-for-tenacity/e2012e09-379e-479f-8bd3-8c2aef36152a/?utm_term=.90c936a884d2 |title=FBI Nominee Lauded for Tenacity |date=July 30, 2001 |work=] |accessdate=May 17, 2017}}</ref> | |||
| children = 2 | |||
|education = ] {{small|(])}}<br>] {{small|(])}}<br>] {{small|(])}} | |||
| education = {{plainlist| | |||
|allegiance = {{flag|United States}} | |||
* ] (]) | |||
|branch = {{flag|United States Marine Corps}} | |||
* ] (]) | |||
|unit = ] | |||
* ] (])}} | |||
|battles = ] | |||
| signature = Robertmuellersignature.png | |||
|mawards = ]<br> ]<br>] | |||
| allegiance = United States | |||
| branch = ] | |||
| serviceyears = 1968–1971 | |||
| rank = ] | |||
| unit = H Company, ], ] | |||
| commands = ] | |||
| battles = {{tree list}} | |||
* ] | |||
** ] | |||
{{tree list/end}} | |||
| mawards = {{plainlist| | |||
* ] with ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
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* ]}} | |||
| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=FBI Director Robert Mueller Testifies Before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act.ogg|title=Robert Mueller's voice|type=speech|description=Mueller, as FBI director, testifies before the ] on reauthorizing portions of the ]<br/>Recorded April 5, 2005}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Robert Swan |
'''Robert Swan Mueller III''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ʌ|l|ər}}; born August 7, 1944) is an American lawyer who served as the sixth ] (FBI) from 2001 to 2013. | ||
A graduate of ] and ], Mueller served as a ] officer during the ], receiving a ] for heroism and a ]. He subsequently attended the ]. Mueller is a registered ] in ],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/07/30/fbi-nominee-lauded-for-tenacity/e2012e09-379e-479f-8bd3-8c2aef36152a/ |title=FBI Nominee Lauded for Tenacity |newspaper=] |first1=Peter |last1=Slevin |first2=Dan |last2=Eggen |date=July 30, 2001 |access-date=May 23, 2019 |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224010945/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/07/30/fbi-nominee-lauded-for-tenacity/e2012e09-379e-479f-8bd3-8c2aef36152a |url-status=live}}</ref> and was appointed and reappointed to ] positions by presidents ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/criminal/history/assistant-attorneys-general/robert-s-mueller|title=Robert S. Mueller III (1990–1993)|date=August 10, 2016|publisher=]|access-date=December 6, 2018|archive-date=December 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207045703/https://www.justice.gov/criminal/history/assistant-attorneys-general/robert-s-mueller|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Fresh Air">{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2018/02/01/582358540/muellers-reputation-in-washington-is-stunningly-bipartisan-journalist-says|title=Mueller's Reputation In Washington Is 'Stunningly Bipartisan,' Journalist Says|last=Gross|first=Terry|date=February 1, 2018|access-date=December 6, 2018|publisher=]|archive-date=December 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207102827/https://www.npr.org/2018/02/01/582358540/muellers-reputation-in-washington-is-stunningly-bipartisan-journalist-says|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On May 17, 2017, Mueller was appointed by the ] as ] overseeing the investigation into ]. | |||
Mueller has served both in government and private practice. He was an assistant United States attorney, a ], ] for the ], a homicide prosecutor in ], acting ], partner at D.C. law firm ] and director of the FBI. He is the only FBI Director that Congress has allowed to serve more than the statutory limit of 10 years since the death of ] in 1972 by giving him a special two-year extension. | |||
==Early life and military service== | |||
Mueller was born on August 7, 1944, in ].<ref name="Holst">Arthur Holst, "Mueller, Robert S. (August 7, 1944-)" in '''' (Vol. 1: A-J), ed. Glenn P. Hastedt (ABC-CLIO, 2011), p. 528.</ref> He is the son of Alice C. (née Truesdale) and Robert Swan Mueller.<ref name=ChicagoSunTimes>{{cite news|accessdate=December 2, 2007 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20010730/ai_n13918408|title=Robert Swan Mueller III |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=July 30, 2001}} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> Mueller grew up outside of ], ].<ref name="Holst" /> He graduated from ] in 1962, where he was captain of the soccer, hockey, and lacrosse teams, and won the Gordon Medal as the School's top athlete in 1962.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sps.edu/page/news-detail?pk=437273|title=FBI Director Mueller '62 Returns to Concord|date=2008-05-28|work=St. Paul's School|access-date=2017-05-17|language=en}}</ref> | |||
On May 17, 2017, Mueller was appointed by ] ] as ] overseeing an ] into allegations of Russian interference in the ] and related matters.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Robert Mueller, Former F.B.I. Director, Is Named Special Counsel for Russia Investigation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/us/politics/robert-mueller-special-counsel-russia-investigation.html |last1=Ruiz |first1=Rebecca R. |last2=Landler |first2=Mark |date=May 17, 2017 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=December 3, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517231201/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/us/politics/robert-mueller-special-counsel-russia-investigation.html |archive-date=May 17, 2017}}</ref> He submitted ] to Attorney General ] on March 22, 2019.<ref name="ABC 3222019">{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/special-counsel-robert-muellers-highly-anticipated-report-handed/story?id=61147281 |title=Mueller report handed off to Department of Justice; won't recommend any further indictments, a senior official says |last=Levine |first=Mike |date=March 22, 2019 |work=] |access-date=March 22, 2019 |archive-date=March 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322210655/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/special-counsel-robert-muellers-highly-anticipated-report-handed/story?id=61147281 |url-status=live }}</ref> On April 18, the Department of Justice released it.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/18/special-counsel-muellers-report-has-been-releashed-to-the-public.html|title=Special counsel Mueller's report has been released to the public|first1=Kevin|last1=Breuninger|first2=Mike|last2=Calia|date=April 18, 2019|website=]|access-date=April 18, 2019|archive-date=April 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418151813/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/18/special-counsel-muellers-report-has-been-releashed-to-the-public.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/18/us/politics/mueller-report-released-live.html|title=What We Know So Far From the Mueller Report|last=Baker|first=Peter|date=April 18, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235220/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/18/us/politics/mueller-report-released-live.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 29, he resigned his post and the Office of the Special Counsel was closed. | |||
He went on to study at ] (receiving an ] in 1966), where he continued to play ]; he has cited his teammate David Spencer Hackett's death in the ] as an influence on his decision to pursue military service. Hackett was a Marine Corps First Lieutenant in the infantry and was killed in 1967 by small arms fire.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://paw.princeton.edu/article/award-winners-mueller-66-and-jackson-86-highlight-alumni-day|title=Award winners Mueller '66 and Jackson *86 highlight Alumni Day|date=2016-01-21|work=Princeton Alumni Weekly|access-date=2017-05-17|language=en}}</ref> Mueller earned an ] in ] from ] in 1967 and a ] from the ] in 1973,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://content.law.virginia.edu/news/2013_spr/mueller_jefferson_medal.htm|title=FBI Director Robert Mueller to Receive Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Law|date=2013-03-04|work=University of Virginia School of Law|access-date=2017-05-17|language=en}}</ref> where he served on the '']''. | |||
== Early life and education == | |||
Mueller enlisted in the ] in 1968, attending ], ] and ].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,166567,00.html|title=Robert Mueller: Straight Shooter With a Moving Target|last=Shannon|first=Elaine|date=2001-07-06|work=Time|access-date=2017-05-17|issn=0040-781X}}</ref> He then served as an officer leading a rifle platoon of the ] during the ];<ref name="Holst" /> he eventually became aide-de-camp to 3rd Marine Division's commanding general.<ref name=":0" /> He received the ], two ], the ] and the ].<ref name="Holst"/> | |||
Mueller was born on August 7, 1944, at ] in the ] borough of ],<ref>{{cite news|title=Son Born to Robert S. Muellers|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1944/08/08/86727899.html?pageNumber=15|access-date=June 24, 2017|work=]|date=August 8, 1944|url-access=subscription|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235219/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1944/08/08/86727899.html?pageNumber=15|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Holst">{{cite book |first=Arthur |last=Holst |chapter=Mueller, Robert S. (August 7, 1944–) |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=91FyAJDjAvQC&pg=PA528 |title=Spies, Wiretaps, and Secret Operations: An Encyclopedia of American Espionage |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928081217/https://books.google.com/books?id=91FyAJDjAvQC&pg=PA528 |archive-date=September 28, 2018 |isbn=978-1851098071 |volume=1: A–J |editor-first=Glenn P. |editor-last=Hastedt |publisher=] |date=December 9, 2010 |page=528 }}</ref> the first child of Alice C. Truesdale (1920–2007) and Robert Swan Mueller Jr. (1916–2007). He has four younger sisters: Susan, Sandra, Joan, and Patricia.<ref name=paw_rsmjr>{{cite news|title=Robert Swan Mueller Jr. '38 |url=https://paw.princeton.edu/memorial/robert-swan-mueller-jr-%E2%80%9938 |access-date=June 24, 2017 |work=] |date=April 23, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620022145/https://paw.princeton.edu/memorial/robert-swan-mueller-jr-%E2%80%9938 |archive-date=June 20, 2017}}</ref> His father was an executive with ] who had served as a ] officer in the ] and ] theaters during ].<ref name=paw_rsmjr /> His father majored in psychology at ] and played varsity ]. | |||
Mueller is of German, English, and Scottish descent. His paternal great-grandfather, ], was a prominent doctor in Pittsburgh, whose own father, August C. E. Müller, had immigrated to the United States in 1855 from the ] in the ] (a historical territory whose area included land now part of Poland and the north-eastern edge of Germany).<ref>''Memoirs of Allegheny County Pennsylvania'', Madison, Northwestern Historical Association, 1904, vol. 1, pp. 256–57.</ref> On his mother's side, he is a great-grandson of the railroad executive ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Alice Truesdale Will Be Married: Graduate of Miss Hall's School Is Fiancée of Lieut. Robert S. Mueller Jr. of Navy|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1943/06/28/85075479.html|access-date=June 24, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=June 28, 1943|url-access=subscription|archive-date=August 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828224515/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1943/06/28/85075479.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Law career== | |||
After receiving his law degree in 1973, Mueller worked as a ] at the firm Pillsbury, Madison and Sutro in ] until 1976.<ref name=":0" /> He then served for 12 years in ] offices. He first worked in the office of the ] in ],<ref name=":0" /> where he rose to be chief of the criminal division, and in 1982, he moved to ] to work in the office of the ] as ],<ref name="Holst" /> where he investigated and prosecuted major financial fraud, terrorism and public corruption cases, as well as narcotics conspiracies and international money launderers. | |||
Mueller grew up in ], where he attended Princeton Country Day School (now known as the ]). After he completed eighth grade, his family moved to Philadelphia while Mueller himself went on to attend ] in ] for high school, where he was captain of the soccer, hockey, and lacrosse teams and won the Gordon Medal as the school's top athlete in 1962.<ref>{{cite news |first=Donald |last=Gilpin |url=http://www.towntopics.com/wordpress/2017/05/24/princeton-day-school-presents-alumni-award-to-robert-s-mueller-iii/ |title=Princeton Day School Presents Alumni Award To Robert S. Mueller III |date=May 24, 2017 |work=Town Topics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606145810/http://www.towntopics.com/wordpress/2017/05/24/princeton-day-school-presents-alumni-award-to-robert-s-mueller-iii/ |archive-date=June 6, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Jana |last=Brown|url=https://www.sps.edu/news-detail?pk=437273 |title=FBI Director Mueller '62 Returns to Concord|date=May 28, 2008|publisher=St. Paul's School|access-date=May 17, 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210070145/https://www.sps.edu/page/news-detail?pk=437273|archive-date=February 10, 2018 }}</ref> A lacrosse teammate and classmate at ] was future ] Senator and ] ].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mueller-and-trump-born-to-wealth-raised-to-lead-then-sharply-different-choices/2018/02/22/ad50b7bc-0a99-11e8-8b0d-891602206fb7_story.html |title=Mueller and Trump: Born to wealth, raised to lead. Then, sharply different choices. |last1=Fisher |first1=Marc |date=February 23, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 11, 2018 |last2=Horwitz |first2=Sari |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=May 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510115703/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mueller-and-trump-born-to-wealth-raised-to-lead-then-sharply-different-choices/2018/02/22/ad50b7bc-0a99-11e8-8b0d-891602206fb7_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
After serving as a partner at the Boston law firm of ], Mueller returned to government service. In 1989, he served in the ] as an assistant to ] ]. The following year he took charge of its criminal division.<ref name=":0" /> During his tenure, he oversaw prosecutions that included ]nian leader ], the ] (Lockerbie bombing) case,<ref name="Holst" /> and the ] ] ]. In 1991, he was elected a fellow of the ].<ref name="Holst" /> | |||
After graduating from St. Paul's, Mueller entered ], where he continued to play lacrosse,<ref name="PrincetonProfile">{{Cite news|title=Mudd Manuscript Library Thesis Database|publisher=Princeton University|url=http://dataspace.princeton.edu/jspui/handle/88435/dsp01pk02cc53v|url-status=live|access-date=November 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210070145/http://dataspace.princeton.edu/jspui/handle/88435/dsp01pk02cc53v|archive-date=February 10, 2018}}</ref> receiving a ] in ] in 1966 after completing a senior ] titled "Acceptance of Jurisdiction in the South West Africa Cases."<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Mueller|first=Robert Swan III|editor-last=Princeton University. Department of Politics|title=Acceptance of Jurisdiction in the South West Africa Cases|url=https://catalog.princeton.edu/catalog/dsp01pk02cc53v|language=en|journal=|access-date=May 28, 2020|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806191743/https://catalog.princeton.edu/catalog/dsp01pk02cc53v|url-status=live}}</ref> Mueller was a member of ] while he was a student at Princeton.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About the Cottage Club|url=https://www.cottageclub.net/about-cottage-club|access-date=2021-01-03|website=University Cottage Club|language=en-US|archive-date=February 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202034145/https://www.cottageclub.net/about-cottage-club|url-status=live}}</ref> Mueller earned a ] in ] from ] in 1967. | |||
In 1993, Mueller became a partner at Boston's ], specializing in ] litigation.<ref name=":0" /> He returned to public service in 1995 as senior litigator in the homicide section of the District of Columbia United States Attorney's Office.<ref name="Holst" /> In 1998, Mueller was named ] and held that position until 2001.<ref name="Holst" /> | |||
In 1968, Mueller joined the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fbi.gov/history/directors/robert-s-mueller-iii |title=Robert S. Mueller, III, September 4, 2001 – September 4, 2013 |work=] |quote=After college, he joined the United States Marine Corps, where he served as an officer for three years, leading a rifle platoon of the Third Marine Division in Vietnam. |access-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-date=May 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522212750/https://www.fbi.gov/history/directors/robert-s-mueller-iii/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After his military service, he enrolled at the ] where he served on the '']'' and graduated in 1973.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://content.law.virginia.edu/news/2013_spr/mueller_jefferson_medal.htm |title=FBI Director Robert Mueller to Receive Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Law|date=March 4, 2013|publisher=University of Virginia School of Law|access-date=May 17, 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031095549/https://content.law.virginia.edu/news/2013_spr/mueller_jefferson_medal.htm|archive-date=October 31, 2017 }}</ref> | |||
==Federal Bureau of Investigation== | |||
] | |||
== United States Marine Corps service == | |||
Mueller was nominated for the position of FBI Director by President George W. Bush on July 5, 2001.<ref>{{cite web | |||
] | |||
|date=July 5, 2001 | |||
Mueller has cited the combat death of his Princeton lacrosse teammate David Spencer Hackett in the ] as an influence on his decision to pursue military service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://paw.princeton.edu/article/award-winners-mueller-66-and-jackson-86-highlight-alumni-day|title=Award winners Mueller '66 and Jackson '86 highlight Alumni Day|date=January 21, 2016 |work=Princeton Alumni Weekly|access-date=May 17, 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030151113/https://paw.princeton.edu/article/award-winners-mueller-66-and-jackson-86-highlight-alumni-day|archive-date=October 30, 2017 }}</ref> Of his classmate, Mueller has said, "One of the reasons I went into the Marine Corps was because we lost a very good friend, a Marine in Vietnam, who was a year ahead of me at Princeton. There were a number of us who felt we should follow his example and at least go into the service. And it flows from there."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/alumni/uvalawyer/f02/mueller.htm |title=Robert S. Mueller III '73 On the Front Lines Again |publisher=University of Virginia School of Law |access-date=January 8, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802135133/http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/alumni/uvalawyer/f02/mueller.htm |archive-date=August 2, 2016 }}</ref> Hackett was a Marine Corps ] in the infantry and was killed in 1967 in ] by small arms fire.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ChlbAAAAYAAJ&q=Spencer+Hackett+1967+vietnam&pg=PA65-IA35 |page=16 |title=David Spencer Hackett '65 |magazine=Princeton Alumni Weekly |date=July 4, 1967 |volume=67 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210070145/https://books.google.com/books?id=ChlbAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA65-IA35&dq=Spencer+Hackett+1967+vietnam&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjUpoCXobvUAhVk6IMKHdtSA2AQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=Spencer%20Hackett%201967%20vietnam&f=false |archive-date=February 10, 2018 }}</ref> | |||
|url=http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/07/20010705-2.html | |||
|title=Remarks by the President in Nominating Robert S. Mueller as Director of the FBI | |||
|publisher=The White House|accessdate=September 28, 2007}}</ref> At the time, he and two other candidates, Washington lawyer ] and veteran Chicago prosecutor and ] defense lawyer ] were up for the job, but Mueller was always considered the front runner.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 6, 2001 | |||
|url=http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2001/7/5/150910.shtml | |||
|title=Bush Names Mueller FBI Director |publisher=United Press | |||
|accessdate=June 10, 2006|archiveurl=http://archive.is/J3b7F|archivedate=January 29, 2013}}</ref> Twilliger and Webb both pulled out from consideration around mid-June. Confirmation hearings for Mueller, in front of the ], were quickly set for July 30, only three days before his prostate cancer surgery.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 18, 2001 |url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/07/18/fbi.mueller/ | |||
|title=Senate hearing set July 30 for FBI choice Mueller |publisher=CNN|accessdate=June 10, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | |||
|date=June 13, 2001|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/LAW/07/13/fbidirector.cancer/index.html |title=FBI director-designate has prostate cancer |publisher=CNN|accessdate=June 10, 2006}}</ref> The vote on the Senate floor on August 2, 2001, passed unanimously, 98–0.<ref> | |||
{{cite web |date=August 2, 2001|url=https://fas.org/irp/congress/2001_cr/s080201.html | |||
|title=Robert S. Mueller, III, to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation|format=Plain Text|publisher=United States Senate|accessdate=June 10, 2006}}</ref> He served as Acting Deputy Attorney General of the United States Department of Justice for several months, before officially becoming the FBI Director on September 4, 2001, just one week before the ] against the United States.<ref name="Holst" /> | |||
After waiting a year so a knee injury could heal, Mueller was accepted for officer training in the ] in 1968, attending training at ], ], ], and ]. Of these, he said later that he considered Ranger School the most valuable because he felt "more than anything teaches you about how you react with no sleep and nothing to eat."<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |url=http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,166567,00.html|title=Robert Mueller: Straight Shooter With a Moving Target |last=Shannon|first=Elaine|date=July 6, 2001|magazine=Time|access-date=May 17, 2017|issn=0040-781X|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520192929/http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,166567,00.html|archive-date=May 20, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="wired">{{cite magazine |title=The Untold Story of Robert Mueller's Time in Combat |magazine=] |first=Garrett M. |last=Graff |date=May 15, 2018 |url=https://www.wired.com/story/robert-mueller-vietnam/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180516133659/https://www.wired.com/story/robert-mueller-vietnam/ |archive-date=May 16, 2018 }}</ref> | |||
]]] | |||
In May 2011, President Obama asked Director Mueller to continue at the helm of the FBI for two additional years beyond his normal 10-year term, which was expiring on September 4, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 12, 2011 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/05/12/obama.mueller/index.html?hpt=T1|title=FBI Director to stay in post for another 2 years|publisher=CNN|accessdate=May 12, 2011}}</ref> The Senate approved this request on July 27, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|date=July 27, 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/28/us/28brfs-SENATEEXTEND_BRF.html?_r=1&ref=robertsiiimueller|title=Senate Extends Term of F.B.I. Director|publisher=New York Times|accessdate=September 13, 2011}}</ref> On September 4, 2013, Mueller was replaced by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/news_blog/james-b.-comey-sworn-in-as-fbi-director|title=FBI — James B. Comey Sworn in as FBI Director|work=FBI|accessdate=June 14, 2015}}</ref> | |||
In the summer of 1968, he was sent to ], where he served as a rifle ] as a ] with Second Platoon, H Company, ], ].<ref name="Holst" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/05/21/magnificent-bastard-is-investigating-russian-meddling-in-us.html |url-status=live |title=A 'Magnificent Bastard' Is Investigating Russian Meddling in the US |work=] |first=Richard |last=Sisk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709114536/http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/05/21/magnificent-bastard-is-investigating-russian-meddling-in-us.html |archive-date=July 9, 2017 |date=May 21, 2017 |access-date=June 18, 2017 }}</ref> On December 11, 1968, during an engagement in ], he earned the Bronze Star with "V" device for combat valor for rescuing a wounded Marine under enemy fire during an ambush in which he saw half of his platoon become casualties.<ref>{{cite magazine |volume=102 |first=Tom |last=Nugent |magazine=] |url=https://paw.princeton.edu/article/paw-archives-defense |title=From the PAW Archives: For the Defense |date=November 21, 2001 |access-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235207/https://paw.princeton.edu/article/defense |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |quote=With complete disregard for his own safety, he then skillfully supervised the evacuation of casualties from the hazardous area and, on one occasion, personally led a fire team across the fire-swept area terrain to recover a mortally wounded Marine who had fallen in a position forward of the friendly lines. |title=The Threat Matrix: Inside Robert Mueller's FBI and the War on Global Terror |first=Garrett |last=Graff |date=February 9, 2012 |publisher=Little, Brown |isbn=978-0316068604 }}{{page needed|date=March 2018}}</ref> In April 1969, he received an enemy gunshot wound in the thigh, recovered, and returned to lead his platoon until June 1969.<ref name="taskandpurpose">{{cite web |url=http://taskandpurpose.com/robert-mueller-marine-vietnam-leadership/ |title=Robert Mueller Has A Decorated Combat Record As A Marine Who Fought In Vietnam |work=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808115219/http://taskandpurpose.com/robert-mueller-marine-vietnam-leadership/ |archive-date=August 8, 2017 |access-date=June 18, 2017 |first=Jared |last=Keller |date=May 18, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> For his service in and during the Vietnam War, his military decorations and awards include: the ] with ], ], two ] with Combat "V", ], ], ] with four ], ], ], and ].<ref name="Holst" /><ref name="taskandpurpose"/><ref name="wired"/><ref name="militarydocs" /> | |||
Director Mueller, along with Deputy Attorney General ], threatened to resign from office in March 2004 if the White House overruled a ] finding that domestic ] without a court warrant was unconstitutional.<ref name=WashingtonPost20070516>{{cite news |date=May 16, 2007|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR2007051500864.html|title=Gonzales Hospital Episode Detailed|publisher=Washington Post|accessdate=September 28, 2007 | first1=Dan | last1=Eggen | first2=Paul | last2=Kane}}</ref> Attorney General ] denied his consent to attempts by White House ] ] and White House Counsel ] to waive the Justice Department ruling and permit the domestic warrantless eavesdropping program to proceed. On March 12, 2004, President George W. Bush gave his support to changes in the program sufficient to satisfy the concerns of Mueller, Ashcroft and Comey.<ref name=WashingtonPost20070516/> | |||
After recuperating at a field hospital near ], Mueller became ] to 3rd Marine Division's commanding general, then–Major General ], where he "significantly contributed to the rapport" Jones had with other officers, according to one report.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="wapomil">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2018/02/23/robert-muellers-military-career-detailed-in-documents-was-brief-but-remarkable/ |title=Robert Mueller's military career, detailed in documents, was brief but remarkable |first=Dan |last=Lamothe |date=February 23, 2018 |newspaper=] |access-date=May 23, 2019 |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224004849/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2018/02/23/robert-muellers-military-career-detailed-in-documents-was-brief-but-remarkable/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==Post-FBI career== | |||
{{current event|section|date=May 2017}} | |||
After leaving the FBI in 2013, Mueller served a one-year term as consulting professor and the Arthur and Frank Payne Distinguished Lecturer at ] where he focused on issues related to cyber-security.<ref>{{cite press release |last=Gorlick |first=Adam |date=November 5, 2013|title=Former FBI director to bolster security research at Stanford.|url=http://fsi.stanford.edu/news/former_fbi_director_to_bolster_security_research_at_stanford_20131105 |location=] |publisher=] |access-date=April 22, 2016}}</ref> He gave a speech and Q&A on March 8, 2017 at ], where he stated, "For the bureau, one of the most important things is integrity."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.govtech.com/security/Former-FBI-Director-Addresses-Students-Integrity-is-Integral.html |last=Stephens |first=Christopher |publisher=''The Herald Bulletin'' |date=2017-03-09 |title=Integrity is Integral, Former FBI Director Robert Mueller Says |work=]}}</ref> | |||
Mueller had originally considered making the Marines his career, but he explained later that he found non-combat life in the corps to be unexciting.<ref name="wired" /> After returning from South Vietnam, Mueller was briefly stationed at ], before leaving active-duty service in August 1970<ref name="wapomil"/> at the rank of ].<ref name="wapomil"/> | |||
In addition to his speaking and teaching roles, Mueller also joined the law firm ] as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office in 2014.<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Former Director of the FBI Robert Mueller III Joins WilmerHale|url=https://www.wilmerhale.com/pages/publicationsandnewsdetail.aspx?NewsPubID=17179871803|publisher=]|date=March 24, 2014|access-date=April 22, 2016}}</ref>. Among other roles while at the firm, he oversaw the independent investigation into ] NFL player Ray Rice assaulting his fiancée.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/01/08/0ap3000000455484.pdf |title=REPORT TO THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE OF AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE RAY RICE INCIDENT |publisher=] |date=2015-01-08 |first=Robert |last=Mueller |work=WilmerHale}}</ref> In January 2016, he was appointed as Settlement Master in the U.S. consumer litigation over the ]; as of May 11, 2017, the scandal has resulted in $11.2 billion in customer settlements.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-vw-cheating-settlement-20170511-story.html |title=VW's emissions-cheating settlement for 3-liter vehicles gets judge's approval |date=2017-05-11 |work=] |publisher=]}}</ref> On October 19, 2016, Mueller began an external review of "security, personnel, and management processes and practices" at government contractor ] after ] was indicted for massive data theft from the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/303202-booz-allen-conducting-external-review-after-employee-arrest-for-taking |publisher=] |last=Uchill |first=Joe |title=Booz Allen announces external review following stolen documents by contractor |date=2016-10-27}}</ref> On April 6, 2017, he was appointed as Special Master for disbursement of $850 million and $125 million for automakers and consumers, respectively, affected by ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-fbi-director-robert-mueller-to-oversee-takata-compensation-funds-1491511757 |publisher=] |last=Spector |first=Mike |date=2017-04-06 |title=Former FBI Director Robert Mueller to Oversee Takata Compensation Funds}}</ref> | |||
Reflecting on his service in the Vietnam War, Mueller said, "I consider myself exceptionally lucky to have made it out of Vietnam. There were many—many—who did not. And perhaps because I did survive Vietnam, I have always felt compelled to contribute."<ref>''The Threat Matrix: Inside Robert Mueller's FBI and the War on Global Terror'': "The time in Vietnam was intensely formative for Mueller, forging his leadership skills literally under fire."{{page needed|date=March 2018}}</ref> In 2009, he told a writer that despite his other accomplishments, he was still "most proud the Marine Corps deemed me worthy of leading other Marines."<ref name="wired" /> | |||
] and Related Matters]] | |||
Mueller received the 2016 Thayer Award for public service from the ],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.westpointaog.org/thayer-award-robert-mueller |title=ROBERT S. MUELLER III RECEIVES 2016 THAYER AWARD |publisher=West Point Association of Graduates |date=2016}}</ref>. He is scheduled in June to receive the 2017 Baker Award for intelligence and national security contributions from the nonprofit ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.insaonline.org/robert-mueller-to-receive-2017-william-oliver-baker-award/ |publisher=Intelligence and National Security Alliance |title=ROBERT MUELLER TO RECEIVE 2017 WILLIAM OLIVER BAKER AWARD |date=2017-02-28}}</ref> | |||
== Career == | |||
On May 17, 2017, ] ] appointed Mueller to serve as ] for the ]. In this capacity, Mueller oversees the investigation into the ]. The appointment followed a series of events which included ] of FBI Director ] and allegations "that the ] into his former national security adviser, ]."<ref name="Ruiz">{{cite web|first=Rebecca R. |last=Ruiz |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/us/politics/robert-mueller-special-counsel-russia-investigation.html |title=Robert Mueller, Former F.B.I. Director, Named Special Counsel for Russia Investigation|work=The New York Times|date=May 17, 2017 |accessdate=May 17, 2017}}</ref> Upon his appointment as Special Counsel, he and two colleagues (former FBI agent Aaron Zebley and former assistant special prosecutor on the Watergate Special Prosecution Force James Quarles) resigned from WilmerHale.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/2017/05/17/528846598/former-fbi-director-mueller-appointed-special-counsel-to-oversee-russia-probe|title=Former FBI Director Mueller Appointed As Special Counsel To Oversee Russia Probe |last2=Johnson|first2=Carrie|date=2017-05-17|publisher=]|last1=Taylor|first1=Jessica}}</ref> | |||
=== Private practice and Department of Justice === | |||
==References== | |||
] | |||
{{Reflist|30em}} | |||
After receiving his ] in 1973 from the ], Mueller worked as a litigator at the firm ] in San Francisco until 1976. He then served for 12 years in ] offices. He first worked in the office of the ] in San Francisco,<ref name=":0" /> where he rose to be chief of the criminal division, and in 1982, he moved to Boston to work in the office of the ] as an ],<ref name="Holst" /> where he investigated and prosecuted major financial fraud, terrorism and public corruption cases, as well as narcotics conspiracies and international money launderers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Boss |first=Owen |url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2017/05/robert_mueller_made_mark_during_boston_tenure |title=Robert Mueller made mark during Boston tenure |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029012937/http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2017/05/robert_mueller_made_mark_during_boston_tenure |archive-date=October 29, 2017 |work=] |date=May 18, 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=August 10, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="US embassy DE" /> | |||
After serving as a partner at the Boston law firm of ], Mueller returned to government service. In 1989, he served in the ] as an assistant to Attorney General ] and as acting deputy attorney general. ], with whom he worked on national security matters, said he had "an appreciation for the Constitution and the rule of law".<ref name=darkside>{{cite book|last=Mayer|first=Jane|title=The Dark Side |location=New York |publisher=]|date=May 2009|isbn=978-0-307-45629-8|title-link=The Dark Side (book)}}</ref>{{rp|33–34}} | |||
==Further reading== | |||
* {{cite news|last=Graff|first=Garrett|url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2008/08/01/the-ultimate-g-man-robert-mueller-remakes-the-fbi|title=The Ultimate G-Man: Robert Mueller Remakes the FBI|work=Washingtonian|date=August 1, 2008}} | |||
* {{cite news|last=Graff|first=Garrett|url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2008/09/01/robert-mueller-taking-on-the-terrorists|title=Robert Mueller: Taking on the Terrorists|work=Washingtonian|date=September 1, 2008}} | |||
In 1990, Mueller became the ] in charge of the ].<ref name=":0" /> During his tenure, he oversaw prosecutions including that of Panamanian leader ], the ] (Lockerbie bombing) case, and of the ] ] ].<ref>{{cite news | last=Blum | first=Howard | date=December 1, 2017 | title=How scared should Trump be of Mueller? Ask John Gotti or Sammy the Bull | url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/12/how-scared-should-trump-be-of-mueller-ask-john-gotti-or-sammy-the-bull | work=] | access-date=May 23, 2019 | archive-date=June 22, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622083022/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/12/how-scared-should-trump-be-of-mueller-ask-john-gotti-or-sammy-the-bull | url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==External links== | |||
{{Commons category|Robert Swan Mueller III}} | |||
In 1991, Mueller declared the government had been investigating the ] (BCCI) since 1986 in more-than-usual media exposure.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/07/28/bcci-scandal-behind-the-bank-of-crooks-and-criminals/563f2216-1180-4094-a13d-fd4955d59435/ |title=BCCI Scandal: Behind The 'Bank Of Crooks And Criminals' |date=July 28, 1991 |newspaper=] |first1=Steven |last1=Mufson |first2=Jim |last2=McGee |quote=Last week Assistant Attorney General Robert Mueller, the head of the department's criminal division, undertook an unusual media blitz to declare that the federal government had been investigating BCCI since 1986 when a federal money-laundering prosecution ensnared BCCI. |access-date=August 29, 2018 |archive-date=August 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805172535/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/07/28/bcci-scandal-behind-the-bank-of-crooks-and-criminals/563f2216-1180-4094-a13d-fd4955d59435/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in 1991, he was elected a fellow of the ].<ref name="Holst" /> | |||
* at the ] and | |||
*{{WhoRunsGov|Profiles/Robert_Mueller}} | |||
In 1993, Mueller became a partner at Boston's ], specializing in ] litigation.<ref name=":0" /> He returned to public service in 1995 as senior litigator in the homicide section of the District of Columbia United States Attorney's Office. In 1998, Mueller was named ] and held that position until 2001.<ref name="Holst" /><ref name="US embassy DE">{{cite web |title=Robert S. Mueller Biography |url=https://usa.usembassy.de/etexts/gov/biograph/mueller.htm |website=U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Germany |access-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-date=August 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828224536/https://usa.usembassy.de/etexts/gov/biograph/mueller.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
*{{C-SPAN|robertmueller}} | |||
*{{Charlie Rose view|6662}} | |||
=== Federal Bureau of Investigation === | |||
*{{IMDb name|1694507}} | |||
] ] nominated Mueller for the position of FBI director on July 5, 2001.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 5, 2001 |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/07/20010705-2.html|title=Remarks by the President in Nominating Robert S. Mueller as Director of the FBI|publisher=The White House|access-date=September 28, 2007|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027104030/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/07/20010705-2.html|archive-date=October 27, 2011 }}</ref> He and two other candidates, Washington lawyer ] and veteran Chicago prosecutor and white-collar crime defense lawyer ], were up for the job, but Mueller, described at the time as a ] Republican,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2001-07-06-0107060190-story,amp.html |title=Outsider named to lead FBI |last=Bendavid |first=Naftali |date=July 6, 2001 |newspaper=] |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127064824/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2001-07-06-0107060190-story,amp.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2001/LAW/07/05/mueller.profile/ |title=Mueller described as low-key, no-nonsense manager |last=Arena |first=Kelli |date=July 5, 2001 |publisher=] |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708173904/https://www.cnn.com/2001/LAW/07/05/mueller.profile/ | archive-date=July 8, 2019 }}</ref> was always considered the front-runner.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} Terwilliger and Webb both pulled out from consideration around mid-June, while confirmation hearings for Mueller before the ] were quickly set for July 30, only three days before his prostate cancer surgery.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 18, 2001 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/07/18/fbi.mueller/ |title=Senate hearing set July 30 for FBI choice Mueller |publisher=CNN|access-date=June 10, 2006|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523185711/http://archives.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/07/18/fbi.mueller/|archive-date=May 23, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=June 13, 2001|url=http://www.cnn.com/2001/LAW/07/13/fbidirector.cancer/index.html|title=FBI director-designate has prostate cancer|publisher=CNN|access-date=June 10, 2006|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227215652/http://archives.cnn.com/2001/LAW/07/13/fbidirector.cancer/index.html|archive-date=December 27, 2007}}</ref> | |||
*{{Worldcat id|lccn-no91-25152}} | |||
*{{NYTtopic|people/m/robert_s_iii_mueller}} | |||
] | |||
*{{WSJ topic}} | |||
The Senate unanimously confirmed Mueller as FBI director on August 2, 2001, voting 98–0 in favor of his appointment.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 2, 2001|url=https://fas.org/irp/congress/2001_cr/s080201.html|title=Robert S. Mueller, III, to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation|format=Plain Text|publisher=United States Senate|access-date=June 10, 2006|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060602005256/http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2001_cr/s080201.html|archive-date=June 2, 2006}}</ref> He had previously served as acting deputy attorney general of the ] (DOJ) for several months before officially becoming the FBI director on September 4, 2001, one week before the ] on the ] and ].<ref name="Holst" /> | |||
] and Attorney General ], August 6, 2002]] | |||
On February 11, 2003, one month before the ] ], Mueller gave testimony to the ]. Mueller informed the American public that "even countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism—Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Cuba, and North Korea—remain active in the United States and continue to support terrorist groups that have targeted Americans. As Director ] has pointed out, ] ] last week that Baghdad has failed to disarm its ], willfully attempting to evade and deceive the international community. Our particular concern is that Saddam Hussein may supply terrorists with biological, chemical or radiological material."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/02/11/transcripts.mueller/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031226072103/http://edition.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/02/11/transcripts.mueller/ |url-status=live |archive-date=December 26, 2003 |title=Mueller: 'Enemy is far from defeated' |work=] |date=February 11, 2003 |access-date=August 10, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/11/politics/full-text-words-of-cia-and-fbi-chiefs.html |title=Full Text: Words of C.I.A. and F.B.I. Chiefs |work=] |date=February 11, 2003 |access-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-date=November 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106083905/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/11/politics/full-text-words-of-cia-and-fbi-chiefs.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Highlighting this worry in February 2003, FBI Special Agent ] wrote an open letter to Mueller in which she warned that "the bureau will be able to stem the flood of terrorism that will likely head our way in the wake of an attack on Iraq"<ref>{{cite news |first=Philip |last=Shenon |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/06/us/threats-responses-whistleblower-agent-who-saw-9-11-lapses-still-faults-fbi.html |title=Threats and Responses: A Whistleblower Agent Who Saw 9/11 Lapses Still Faults F.B.I. on Terror. |work=] |date=March 6, 2003 |access-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-date=December 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231121324/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/06/us/threats-responses-whistleblower-agent-who-saw-9-11-lapses-still-faults-fbi.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/05/politics/full-text-of-fbi-agents-letter-to-director-mueller.html |title=Full Text of F.B.I. Agent's Letter to Director Mueller |work=] |date=March 3, 2003 |access-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722031013/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/05/politics/full-text-of-fbi-agents-letter-to-director-mueller.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and encouraged Mueller to "share with the President and Attorney General."<ref name=":2" /> | |||
On March 10, 2004, while ] ] was at the ] for gallbladder surgery,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-mueller-comey-ashcroft-domestic-surveillance-20170517-story.html|date=May 17, 2017|title=Comey, Mueller and the showdown at John Ashcroft's hospital bed|last=Shalby|first=Colleen|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=March 21, 2018|archive-date=March 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321192542/http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-mueller-comey-ashcroft-domestic-surveillance-20170517-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> then deputy attorney general ] received a call from Ashcroft's wife informing him that White House ] ] and White House Counsel ] were about to visit Ashcroft to convince him to renew a program of warrantless ] under the ] which the DOJ ruled unconstitutional.<ref name=":3" /> Ashcroft refused to sign, as he had previously agreed, but the following day the White House renewed the program anyway.<ref name=":3" /> Mueller and Comey then threatened to resign.<ref name=WashingtonPost20070516>{{cite news|date=May 16, 2007|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR2007051500864.html|title=Gonzales Hospital Episode Detailed|newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 28, 2007|first1=Dan|last1=Eggen|first2=Paul|last2=Kane|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516033648/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR2007051500864.html|archive-date=May 16, 2008}}</ref> On March 12, 2004, after private, individual meetings with Mueller and Comey at the White House, the president supported changing the program to satisfy the concerns of Mueller, Ashcroft, and Comey.<ref name=darkside />{{rp|289–290}}<ref name=WashingtonPost20070516 /> | |||
] | |||
He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2004.<ref name="wapomil"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ranger.org/Resources/Documents/RHOF%20Master%20List%20%2805-24-2013%29.pdf |title=US Army Ranger Hall of Fame |page=6 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180224010352/http://www.ranger.org/Resources/Documents/RHOF%20Master%20List%20(05-24-2013).pdf |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |publisher=US Army Ranger Association, Inc.|url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
As director, Mueller also barred FBI personnel from participating in ] with the CIA.<ref name="SoufanNewsweek">{{cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/ali-soufan-breaks-his-silence-77243 |first=Michael |last=Isikoff |title=We Could Have Done This the Right Way |work=Newsweek |date=April 24, 2009 |access-date=January 27, 2012 |archive-date=April 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401162755/http://www.newsweek.com/id/195089 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=absolves>{{cite news |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/convictions/2008/05/20/doj_absolves_fbi_on_torture.html |title=DoJ Absolves FBI on Torture |date=May 20, 2008 |first=Phillip |last=Carter |work=Slate |access-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235218/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2008/05/doj-absolves-fbi-on-torture.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At a dinner, Mueller defended an attorney, ], who had been attacked for his role in defending Kuwaiti detainees. Mueller stood up, raised his glass, and said, "I toast Tom Wilner. He's doing what an American should." However, the White House pushed back, encouraging more vigorous methods of pursuing and interrogating terror suspects. When Bush confronted Mueller to ask him to round up more terrorists in the U.S., Mueller responded, saying, "If they don't commit a crime, it would be difficult to identify and isolate" them. Vice President ] objected by saying, "That's just not good enough. We're hearing this too much from the FBI."<ref name=darkside />{{rp|157, 205, 270}} | |||
In May 2011, President ] asked Mueller to continue at the helm of the FBI for two additional years beyond his normal 10-year term, which would have expired on September 4, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 12, 2011 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/05/12/obama.mueller/index.html|title=FBI Director to stay in post for another 2 years |publisher=CNN |access-date=May 12, 2011|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109222600/http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/05/12/obama.mueller/index.html|archive-date=November 9, 2012}}</ref> The Senate approved this request 100–0 on July 27, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|date=July 27, 2011 |first=Charlie |last=Savage |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/28/us/28brfs-SENATEEXTEND_BRF.html |title=Senate Extends Term of F.B.I. Director|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 13, 2011|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031172158/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/28/us/28brfs-SENATEEXTEND_BRF.html |archive-date=2023-10-31 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42493918|title=All you need to know about Trump Russia story|date=July 13, 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=July 17, 2018|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235238/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42493918|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 4, 2013, Mueller was replaced by James Comey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/news_blog/james-b.-comey-sworn-in-as-fbi-director|title=James B. Comey Sworn in as FBI Director|publisher=FBI|access-date=June 14, 2015|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715003956/http://www.fbi.gov/news/news_blog/james-b.-comey-sworn-in-as-fbi-director |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> | |||
In June 2013, Mueller defended ] ] in testimony before a ] hearing.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ginger |last=Gibson |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/nsa-phone-records-robert-mueller-terrorism-092722 |title=Mueller: NSA plan derails terrorism |date=June 13, 2013 |work=] |access-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235252/https://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/nsa-phone-records-robert-mueller-terrorism-092722 |url-status=live }}</ref> He said that surveillance programs could have "derailed" the September 11 attacks.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/13/fbi-director-mueller-senate-nsa-live |title=NSA to release more information on surveillance programs – as it happened |work=] |date=June 13, 2013 |first=Tom |last=McCarthy |access-date=April 21, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235224/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/13/fbi-director-mueller-senate-nsa-live |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="csmonitor">{{cite news |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2013/0613/Secret-NSA-program-could-have-derailed-9-11-attacks-FBI-director-says |title=Secret NSA program could have 'derailed' 9/11 attacks, FBI director says |work=] |date=June 13, 2013 |access-date=August 10, 2018 |first=Anna |last=Mulrine |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235205/https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2013/0613/Secret-NSA-program-could-have-derailed-9-11-attacks-FBI-director-says |url-status=live }}</ref> Congressman ] disagreed: "I am not persuaded that that makes it OK to collect every call."<ref name="csmonitor"/> Mueller also testified that the government's surveillance programs complied "in full with U.S. law and with basic rights guaranteed under the Constitution".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-director-in-the-dark-about-irs-probe-defends-surveillance-programs/ |title=FBI director in the dark about IRS probe, defends surveillance programs |publisher=] |date=June 13, 2013 |access-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235244/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-director-in-the-dark-about-irs-probe-defends-surveillance-programs |url-status=live }}</ref> He said that "We are taking all necessary steps to hold ] responsible for these ]."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-security-mueller/fbi-director-says-u-s-will-hold-snowden-responsible-on-nsa-leak-idUKBRE95C0Q420130613 |title=FBI director says U.S. will hold Snowden responsible on NSA leak |work=] |date=June 13, 2013 |first1=David |last1=Ingram |first2=Laura |last2=MacInnis |access-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235257/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-security-mueller/fbi-director-says-u-s-will-hold-snowden-responsible-on-nsa-leak-idUKBRE95C0Q420130613?edition-redirect=uk |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
On June 19, 2017, in the case of '']'', Mueller, along with Ashcroft and former ] Commissioner James W. Ziglar and others, was shielded from civil liability by the ] for post-] detention of Muslims under policies then brought into place.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Liptak|first1=Adam|title=Supreme Court Rules for Bush Officials in Post-9/11 Suit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/19/us/politics/supreme-court-9-11-bush-ashcroft-mueller.html|work=] |access-date=June 19, 2017|date=June 19, 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619200534/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/19/us/politics/supreme-court-9-11-bush-ashcroft-mueller.html|archive-date=June 19, 2017}}</ref> | |||
=== Return to private sector === | |||
], with (from left) President Obama, National Security Advisor ], Attorney General ], Director of CIA ], and ], Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism]] | |||
After leaving the FBI in 2013, Mueller served a one-year term as consulting professor and the Arthur and Frank Payne distinguished lecturer at ], where he focused on issues related to cybersecurity.<ref>{{cite press release |last=Gorlick |first=Adam|date=November 5, 2013|title=Former FBI director to bolster security research at Stanford. |url=http://fsi.stanford.edu/news/former_fbi_director_to_bolster_security_research_at_stanford_20131105|location=Stanford, California|publisher=]|access-date=April 22, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513043037/http://fsi.stanford.edu/news/former_fbi_director_to_bolster_security_research_at_stanford_20131105|archive-date=May 13, 2016}}</ref> | |||
In addition to his speaking and teaching roles, Mueller also joined the law firm ] as a partner in its Washington office in 2014.<ref>{{cite press release|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=Former Director of the FBI Robert Mueller III Joins WilmerHale|url=https://www.wilmerhale.com/pages/publicationsandnewsdetail.aspx?NewsPubID=17179871803|publisher=]|date=March 24, 2014|access-date=April 22, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815112538/https://www.wilmerhale.com/pages/publicationsandnewsdetail.aspx?NewsPubID=17179871803|archive-date=August 15, 2016}}</ref> Among other roles at the firm, he oversaw the independent investigation into the ]'s conduct surrounding the ] NFL player ] assaulting his fiancée.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/01/08/0ap3000000455484.pdf|title=Report to the National Football League of an Independent Investigation into the Ray Rice Incident|work=WilmerHale|publisher=] (NFL)|date=January 8, 2015|first=Robert|last=Mueller|access-date=May 18, 2017|archive-date=July 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712154040/http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/01/08/0ap3000000455484.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2016, he was appointed as Settlement Master in the U.S. consumer litigation over the ]; as of May 11, 2017, the scandal has resulted in $11.2{{nbsp}}billion in customer settlements.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/91e7e53c7c7348a89509a54a3d8bc69c |title=Judge approves emissions-cheating settlement for 3-liter VWs |date=May 11, 2017 |work=] |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518120033/http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-vw-cheating-settlement-20170511-story.html|archive-date=May 18, 2017}}</ref> | |||
On October 19, 2016, Mueller began an external review of "security, personnel, and management processes and practices" at government contractor ] after ] was indicted for massive data theft from the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/303202-booz-allen-conducting-external-review-after-employee-arrest-for-taking/|work=]|last=Uchill|first=Joe|title=Booz Allen announces external review following stolen documents by contractor|date=October 27, 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031233425/http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/303202-booz-allen-conducting-external-review-after-employee-arrest-for-taking|archive-date=October 31, 2016}}</ref> On April 6, 2017, he was appointed as Special Master for disbursement of $850{{nbsp}}million and $125{{nbsp}}million for automakers and consumers, respectively, affected by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-fbi-director-robert-mueller-to-oversee-takata-compensation-funds-1491511757|work=]|last=Spector|first=Mike|date=April 6, 2017|title=Former FBI Director Robert Mueller to Oversee Takata Compensation Funds|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518074811/https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-fbi-director-robert-mueller-to-oversee-takata-compensation-funds-1491511757|archive-date=May 18, 2017|url-access=subscription}}</ref> | |||
Mueller received the 2016 ] for public service from the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westpointaog.org/thayer-award-robert-mueller|title=Robert S. Mueller III Receives 2016 Thayer Award |publisher=West Point Association of Graduates|year=2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804055834/https://www.westpointaog.org/thayer-award-robert-mueller|archive-date=August 4, 2017}}</ref> In June 2017, he received the Baker Award for intelligence and national security contributions from the nonprofit ].<ref>{{cite press release |first=Ryan |last=Pretzer |url=https://www.insaonline.org/robert-mueller-to-receive-2017-william-oliver-baker-award|publisher=Intelligence and National Security Alliance|title=Robert Mueller to Receive 2017 William Oliver Baker Award|date=February 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804180352/https://www.insaonline.org/robert-mueller-to-receive-2017-william-oliver-baker-award/|archive-date=August 4, 2017}}</ref> | |||
In October 2019, it was announced that Mueller, along with ] and ], would return to ] to resume private practice.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/insights/news/20191001-robert-s-mueller-iii-and-other-special-counsels-office-members-rejoin-wilmerhale |title=Robert S. Mueller III and Other Special Counsel's Office Members Rejoin WilmerHale |date=October 1, 2019 |website=wilmerhale.com |access-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235215/https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/insights/news/20191001-robert-s-mueller-iii-and-other-special-counsels-office-members-rejoin-wilmerhale |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 11, 2020, Mueller wrote an op-ed on The Washington Post stating that Roger Stone "remains a convicted felon, and rightly so" after the President of the United States granted Roger Stone clemency and defended his investigation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mueller |first=Robert |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/07/11/mueller-stone-oped/ |title=Robert Mueller: Roger Stone remains a convicted felon, and rightly so |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235316/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/07/11/mueller-stone-oped/?arc404=true |archivedate=February 14, 2021 |url-status=live |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 11, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Aleem |first=Zeeshan |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/7/12/21321897/robert-mueller-roger-stone-convicted-felon |title=Robert Mueller: Roger Stone "remains a convicted felon, and rightly so |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235209/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/7/12/21321897/robert-mueller-roger-stone-convicted-felon |archivedate=February 14, 2021 |url-status=live |work=Vox |date=July 12, 2020 }}</ref> | |||
=== Special Counsel for the Department of Justice === | |||
{{main|Mueller special counsel investigation}} | |||
{{further|Dismissal of James Comey|Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections}} | |||
] | |||
On May 16, 2017, Mueller met with President Trump as a courtesy to provide perspectives on the FBI and input on considerations for hiring a new FBI Director.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-uses-discredited-conflict-of-interest-charges-to-attack-mueller/2019/05/30/2f7c7908-82f6-11e9-95a9-e2c830afe24f_story.html |title=Trump uses discredited conflict-of-interest charges to attack Mueller |last1=Itkowitz |first1=Colby |last2=Dawsey |first2=Josh |last3=Wagner |first3=John |date=May 30, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 4, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235227/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-uses-discredited-conflict-of-interest-charges-to-attack-mueller/2019/05/30/2f7c7908-82f6-11e9-95a9-e2c830afe24f_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This meeting was initially widely reported to have been an interview to serve again as the FBI Director.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Merica|first1=Dan|title=Trump interviewed Mueller for FBI job day before named Special Counsel |date=June 13, 2017|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/13/politics/trump-robert-mueller-fbi-director-interview/index.html|publisher=CNN|access-date=June 13, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613213802/http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/13/politics/trump-robert-mueller-fbi-director-interview/index.html|archive-date=June 13, 2017}}</ref> President Trump broached resuming the position in their meeting; however, Mueller was ineligible to return as FBI Director due to statutory term limits, and Mueller lacked interest in resuming the position.<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> | |||
The next day, ] ] appointed Mueller to serve as special counsel for the ]. In this capacity, Mueller oversaw the investigation into "any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump, and any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rosenstein|first1=Rod |title=Rod Rosenstein's Letter Appointing Mueller Special Counsel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/05/17/us/politics/document-Robert-Mueller-Special-Counsel-Russia.html|website=The New York Times|date=May 17, 2017 |access-date=May 18, 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518015032/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/05/17/us/politics/document-Robert-Mueller-Special-Counsel-Russia.html|archive-date=May 18, 2017}}</ref> | |||
Mueller's appointment to oversee the investigation immediately garnered widespread support from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |first1=Paul |last1=Singer |first2=Eliza |last2=Collins |first3=Erin |last3=Kelly |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/05/17/rare-bipartisan-moment-both-sides-embrace-robert-mueller-special-counsel/101810310 |date=May 17, 2017 |title=Rare bipartisan moment: Both sides embrace Robert Mueller as special counsel |work=USA Today|access-date=May 18, 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518053701/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/05/17/rare-bipartisan-moment-both-sides-embrace-robert-mueller-special-counsel/101810310/|archive-date=May 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/05/mueller-pick-achieves-a-rare-bipartisan-consensus/527133/ |url-access=subscription |date=May 17, 2017 |title=Mueller Pick Meets a Rare Bipartisan Consensus|last=Berman|first=Russell|work=The Atlantic|access-date=May 18, 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518040023/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/05/mueller-pick-achieves-a-rare-bipartisan-consensus/527133/|archive-date=May 18, 2017}}</ref> ], former Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives and prominent conservative political commentator, stated via Twitter that "Robert Mueller is a superb choice to be special counsel. His reputation is impeccable for honesty and integrity."<ref name="GingrichTwitter2017">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/newtgingrich/status/864998445244743684?lang=en|title=Robert Mueller is superb choice to be special counsel. His reputation is impeccable for honesty and integrity. Media should now calm down |last=Gingrich|first=Newt|date=May 17, 2017|publisher=Twitter|access-date=March 12, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235239/https://twitter.com/newtgingrich/status/864998445244743684?lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=July 2018}} Senator ] (]-]) said, "Former Director Mueller is exactly the right kind of individual for this job. I now have significantly greater confidence that the investigation will follow the facts wherever they lead." Senator ] (R-OH) stated, "former FBI dir. Mueller is well qualified to oversee this probe".<ref name=":1" /> Some, however, pointed out an alleged conflict of interest. "The federal code could not be clearer—Mueller is compromised by his apparent conflict of interest in being close with James Comey," Rep. ] (]-]), who first called for Mueller to step down over the summer, said in a statement to Fox News. "The appearance of a conflict is enough to put Mueller in violation of the code. … All of the revelations in recent weeks make the case stronger."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mueller-facing-new-republican-pressure-to-resign-in-russia-probe |date=October 27, 2017 |last1=Singman |first1= Brooke |title=Mueller Facing New Republican Pressure to Resign in Russian Probe|publisher=Fox News Channel |access-date=October 27, 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027222357/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/27/mueller-facing-new-republican-pressure-to-resign-in-russia-probe.html |archive-date=October 27, 2017}}</ref> | |||
Upon his appointment as special counsel, Mueller and two colleagues (former FBI agent ]<ref name="Zapotosky-7-5-2017">{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/07/05/as-mueller-grows-his-russia-special-counsel-team-every-hire-is-under-scrutiny/ |url-access=subscription |title=As Mueller builds his Russia special-counsel team, every hire is under scrutiny |first=Matt |last=Zapotosky |newspaper=]|date=July 5, 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705174602/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/07/05/as-mueller-grows-his-russia-special-counsel-team-every-hire-is-under-scrutiny/ |archive-date=July 5, 2017}}</ref> and former assistant special prosecutor on the ] ] III) resigned from ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/05/17/528846598/former-fbi-director-mueller-appointed-special-counsel-to-oversee-russia-probe|title=Former FBI Director Mueller Appointed As Special Counsel To Oversee Russia Probe|last2=Johnson|first2=Carrie |date=May 17, 2017|publisher=]|last1=Taylor|first1=Jessica |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517230813/http://www.npr.org/2017/05/17/528846598/former-fbi-director-mueller-appointed-special-counsel-to-oversee-russia-probe |archive-date=May 17, 2017}}</ref> On May 23, 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice ethics experts announced they had declared Mueller ethically able to function as special counsel.<ref>{{cite news|work=]|date=May 23, 2017|title=Ethics experts clear special counsel in Russia investigation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/23/us/politics/congress-testimony-john-brennan-russia-budget.html |url-access=subscription |first=Charlie|last=Savage|author-link=Charlie Savage (author)|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523211224/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/23/us/politics/congress-testimony-john-brennan-russia-budget.html|archive-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref> The spokesperson for the special counsel, Peter Carr, told ] that Mueller has taken an active role in managing the inquiry.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/special-counsel-robert-mueller-taking-close-control-russia-investigation-n767856|publisher=]|title=Special Counsel Robert Mueller Taking Close Control of Russia Investigation|first=Pete|last=Williams|date=June 2, 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610073030/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/special-counsel-robert-mueller-taking-close-control-russia-investigation-n767856|archive-date=June 10, 2017}}</ref> In an interview with the ], Rosenstein said he would recuse himself from supervision of Mueller if he were to become a subject in the investigation due to his role in the dismissal of James Comey.<ref>{{cite news|work=]|title=Special Counsel Mueller's investigation seems to be growing|url=https://apnews.com/2fa69c1f399c485e96cc312f7a5039ec|first1=Sadie|last1=Gurman|first2=Eric|last2=Tucker|first3=Jeff|last3=Horwitz|date=June 3, 2017|access-date=May 23, 2019|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235251/https://apnews.com/2fa69c1f399c485e96cc312f7a5039ec|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On June 14, 2017, '']'' reported that Mueller's office was also investigating Trump personally for possible ], in reference to the Russian probe.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/special-counsel-is-investigating-trump-for-possible-obstruction-of-justice/2017/06/14/9ce02506-5131-11e7-b064-828ba60fbb98_story.html |title=Special counsel is investigating Trump for possible obstruction of justice, officials say |first1=Devlin |last1=Barrett |first2=Adam |last2=Entous |first3=Ellen |last3=Nakashima |first4=Sari |last4=Horwitz |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 14, 2017 |access-date=June 15, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614222921/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/special-counsel-is-investigating-trump-for-possible-obstruction-of-justice/2017/06/14/9ce02506-5131-11e7-b064-828ba60fbb98_story.html |archive-date=June 14, 2017}}</ref> The report was questioned by Trump's legal team attorney ], who said on June 18 on ]'s '']'', "The President is not and has not been under investigation for obstruction, period."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Koenig|first1=Kailani|title=Trump Attorney: The President Is Not Under Investigation|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-attorney-president-not-under-investigation-n773751|publisher=]|access-date=June 19, 2017|date=June 18, 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618214622/http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-attorney-president-not-under-investigation-n773751|archive-date=June 18, 2017}}</ref> Due to the central role of the Trump family in the campaign, the transition, and the White House, the President's son-in-law, ], was also reportedly under scrutiny by Mueller.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hamady |first=Saba |date=June 16, 2017 |title=Washington Post: Mueller investigating Jared Kushner's business dealings |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/15/politics/jared-kushner-special-counsel-business-dealings-investigation/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807064227/http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/15/politics/jared-kushner-special-counsel-business-dealings-investigation/index.html |archive-date=August 7, 2017 |access-date=December 21, 2017 }}</ref> Also in June, Trump allegedly ordered the firing of Robert Mueller, but backed down when then-White House Counsel ] threatened to quit.<ref name="NYTimes=2018-01-25">{{cite news |title=Trump Ordered Mueller Fired but Backed Off When White House Counsel Threatened to Quit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/us/politics/trump-mueller-special-counsel-russia.html |first1=Michael S. |last1=Schmidt |first2=Maggie |last2=Haberman |work=] |date=January 25, 2018 |access-date=January 25, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126011705/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/us/politics/trump-mueller-special-counsel-russia.html |archive-date=January 26, 2018 }}</ref> | |||
During a discussion about national security at the ] on July 21, 2017, former ] ] reaffirmed his support for Mueller and called for members of Congress to resist if Trump fires Mueller. He also said it was "the obligation of some executive-branch officials to refuse to carry out some of these orders that, again, are inconsistent with what this country is all about".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/angry-former-spy-chiefs-anxiety-and-discord-at-a-security-forum-over-trump |title=Angry Former Spy Chiefs, Anxiety, and Discord Over Trump at a Security Forum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728114458/http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/angry-former-spy-chiefs-anxiety-and-discord-at-a-security-forum-over-trump |archive-date=July 28, 2017 |author-link=David S. Rohde |first=David |last=Rohde |magazine=] |date=July 22, 2017 |access-date=July 27, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> After ], an investigator for Mueller, was removed from the investigation for alleged partiality, Senator ], the Ranking Member of the ] in a speech on December 20, 2017, before the Senate, warned of a constitutional crisis if the President fired Mueller.<ref>{{cite news |last=Blake |first=Aaron |date=December 21, 2017 |title=The Fix: The growing specter of Robert Mueller's firing. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/12/21/the-growing-specter-of-robert-muellers-firing/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222132127/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/12/21/the-growing-specter-of-robert-muellers-firing/ |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |access-date=December 21, 2017 }}</ref> On June 22, 2018, Warner hosted a fundraising party for 100 guests and was quoted there saying, "If you get me one more glass of wine, I'll tell you stuff only Bob Mueller and I know. If you think you've seen wild stuff so far, buckle up. It's going to be a wild couple of months."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2018/06/24/overheard-at-the-dscc-retreat-on-marthas-vineyard-281247 |first1=Jake |last1=Sherman |first2=Anna |last2=Palmer |first3=Daniel |last3=Lippman |title=Overheard at the DSCC Retreat on Martha's Vineyard |work=Politico |date=June 24, 2018 |access-date=July 9, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235308/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2018/06/24/overheard-at-the-dscc-retreat-on-marthas-vineyard-281247 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
], 2018]] | |||
On October 30, 2017, Mueller filed charges against former Trump campaign chairman ] and campaign co-chairman ]. The 12 charges include conspiracy to launder money, violations of the 1938 ] (FARA) as being an unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading FARA statements, and ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-30/paul-manafort-donald-trump-russia-inquiry/9101372|title=Trump's ex-campaign manager Manafort to turn himself in to Mueller: reports|date=October 30, 2017|publisher=ABC News|access-date=October 30, 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101205535/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-30/paul-manafort-donald-trump-russia-inquiry/9101372|archive-date=November 1, 2017}}</ref> | |||
On December 1, 2017, Mueller reached a plea agreement with former national security adviser ], who pleaded guilty to giving ] to the FBI about his contacts with Russian ambassador ].<ref>{{Cite news |first=Tom |last=McCarthy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/01/trumps-ex-national-security-adviser-michael-flynn-charged-with-lying-to-fbi |title=Trump's ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn pleads guilty to lying to FBI|date=December 1, 2017 |work=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111084914/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/01/trumps-ex-national-security-adviser-michael-flynn-charged-with-lying-to-fbi|archive-date=January 11, 2018}}</ref> As part of Flynn's negotiations, his son, Michael G. Flynn, was not expected to be charged, and Flynn was prepared to testify that high-level officials on Trump's team directed him to make contact with the Russians.<ref>{{cite news|date=December 1, 2017|first=Ian|last=Schwartz|url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/12/01/abcs_brian_ross_flynn_prepared_to_testify_against_trump_trump_family_people_in_the_white_house.html|title=ABC's Brian Ross: Flynn Prepared To Testify Against Trump, Trump Family, White House Staff (UPDATED)|website=]|access-date=April 26, 2018|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235214/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/12/01/abcs_brian_ross_flynn_prepared_to_testify_against_trump_trump_family_people_in_the_white_house.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/michael-flynn-charged-with-making-false-statement-to-the-fbi/2017/12/01/e03a6c48-d6a2-11e7-9461-ba77d604373d_story.html|title=Michael Flynn pleads guilty to lying to the FBI|last1=Leonnig|first1=Carol D.|date=December 1, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=December 1, 2017|last2=Dawsey|first2=Josh|issn=0190-8286|last3=Barrett|first3=Devlin|last4=Zapotosky|first4=Matt|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201161354/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/michael-flynn-charged-with-making-false-statement-to-the-fbi/2017/12/01/e03a6c48-d6a2-11e7-9461-ba77d604373d_story.html|archive-date=December 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/01/us/politics/flynn-russia-sanctions.html |title=Documents Reveal New Details on What Trump Team Knew About Flynn's Calls With Russia's Ambassador|last=Schmidt|first=Michael S.|date=December 1, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 1, 2017|issn=0362-4331|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201212147/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/01/us/politics/flynn-russia-sanctions.html |archive-date=December 1, 2017}}</ref> On February 16, 2018, Mueller indicted 13 Russian individuals and 3 Russian companies for attempting to trick Americans into consuming Russian propaganda that targeted Democratic nominee ]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/russian-troll-farm-13-suspects-indicted-for-interference-in-us-election/2018/02/16/2504de5e-1342-11e8-9570-29c9830535e5_story.html|title=Russian troll farm, 13 suspects indicted for interference in U.S. election|last1=Barrett|first1=Devlin|date=February 16, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=February 17, 2018|last2=Horwitz|first2=Sari|issn=0190-8286|last3=Helderman|first3=Rosalind S.|archive-date=February 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217001017/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/russian-troll-farm-13-suspects-indicted-for-interference-in-us-election/2018/02/16/2504de5e-1342-11e8-9570-29c9830535e5_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and later President-elect ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/michael-moore-participated-in-anti-trump-rally-allegedly-organized-by-russians |title=Michael Moore participated in anti-Trump rally allegedly organized by Russians |publisher=] |date=February 20, 2018 |access-date=September 28, 2018 |last=Re |first=Gregg |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235217/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/michael-moore-participated-in-anti-trump-rally-allegedly-organized-by-russians |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
On February 20, 2018, Mueller charged attorney ] with making false statements in the Russia probe.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Voreacos|first1=David|title=Trump Defiant Despite Mueller's Warning Shot on Russia Meddling|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-20/trump-defiant-despite-mueller-s-warning-shot-on-russia-meddling|access-date=February 20, 2018|publisher=Bloomberg|date=February 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Kahn|first1=Matthew|title=Document: Alex Van Der Zwaan Information|url=https://www.lawfaremedia.org/document-alex-van-der-zwaan-information|website=Lawfare Blog|access-date=February 20, 2018|date=February 20, 2018|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235233/https://www.lawfareblog.com/documents-alex-van-der-zwaan-information-statement-offense-and-plea-agreement|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Thomsen|first1=Jacqueline|title=Mueller charges man with lying about communications with Trump campaign staffer|url=https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/374604-mueller-charges-man-who-communicated-with-gates-with-making-false/|access-date=February 20, 2018|work=The Hill|date=February 20, 2018|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235252/https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/374604-mueller-charges-man-who-communicated-with-gates-with-making-false|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On May 20, 2018, Trump criticized Mueller, tweeting "the World's most expensive Witch Hunt has found nothing on Russia & me so now they are looking at the rest of the World!"<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |first=Edward |last=Helmore |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/20/donald-trump-new-york-times-nader-zamel-prince |title=After Trump attacks New York Times, Giuliani tells paper Mueller will be done by September |work=] |date=May 20, 2018 |access-date=September 27, 2018 |archive-date=September 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925144909/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/20/donald-trump-new-york-times-nader-zamel-prince |url-status=live }}</ref> Mueller started investigating the August 2016 meeting between ] and an emissary for the crown princes of ] and the ]. The emissary offered help to the Trump presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/19/us/politics/trump-jr-saudi-uae-nader-prince-zamel.html |title=Trump Jr. and Other Aides Met With Gulf Emissary Offering Help to Win Election |work=The New York Times |date=May 19, 2018 |access-date=September 28, 2018 |first1=Mark |last1=Mazzetti |author-link=Mark Mazzetti |first2=Ronen |last2=Bergman |author-link2=Ronen Bergman |first3=David D. |last3=Kirkpatrick |author-link3=David D. Kirkpatrick |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613204813/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/19/us/politics/trump-jr-saudi-uae-nader-prince-zamel.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="guardian"/> Mueller was also investigating the Trump campaign's possible ties to ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite news |title=It's Not Just a "Russia" Investigation Anymore |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/mueller-investigation-spreads-to-qatar-israel-uae-china-turkey.html |work=Slate |date=March 8, 2018 |first=Joshua |last=Keating |access-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-date=June 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180609055955/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/mueller-investigation-spreads-to-qatar-israel-uae-china-turkey.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
On December 18, 2018, ''The Washington Post'' published an article concerning a report prepared for the U.S. Senate which stated that Russian disinformation teams had targeted Mueller.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Craig |last1=Timberg |first2=Tony |last2=Romm |first3=Elizabeth |last3=Dwoskin |date=December 17, 2018 |title=Russian disinformation teams targeted Robert S. Mueller III, says report prepared for Senate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/russian-disinformation-teams-targeted-robert-s-mueller-iii-says-report-prepared-for-senate/2018/12/17/0e0047f6-0230-11e9-8186-4ec26a485713_story.html |access-date=December 18, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235232/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/russian-disinformation-teams-targeted-robert-s-mueller-iii-says-report-prepared-for-senate/2018/12/17/0e0047f6-0230-11e9-8186-4ec26a485713_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
On March 22, 2019, Mueller concluded his investigation and submitted the special counsel's final report to Attorney General ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/22/robert-mueller-submits-special-counsels-russia-probe-report-to-attorney-general-william-barr.html|title=MUELLER PROBE IS OVER: Special counsel submits Russia report to Attorney General William Barr|last=Breuninger|first=Kevin|date=March 22, 2019|website=www.cnbc.com|access-date=March 22, 2019|archive-date=March 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322210726/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/22/robert-mueller-submits-special-counsels-russia-probe-report-to-attorney-general-william-barr.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A senior Department of Justice official said that the report did not recommend any new indictments.<ref name="ABC 3222019"/> On March 24, Attorney General Barr submitted a summary of findings to the ]. He stated in ], "The Special Counsel's investigation did not find that the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it conspired or coordinated with Russian in its efforts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election." Mueller's report also reportedly did not take a stance on whether or not Trump committed obstruction of justice; Barr quoted Mueller as saying "while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Carrie |title=Mueller Report Doesn't Find Russian Collusion, But 'Can't Exonerate' On Obstruction |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/03/24/706318191/trump-white-house-hasnt-seen-or-been-briefed-on-mueller-investigation-report |website=] |date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235215/https://www.npr.org/2019/03/24/706318191/trump-white-house-hasnt-seen-or-been-briefed-on-mueller-investigation-report |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
] | |||
On April 18, 2019, the Department of Justice released '']'', the special counsel's final report and its conclusions.<ref name=":4"/><ref name=":5"/> | |||
On May 29, 2019, Mueller announced that he was retiring as special counsel and that the office would be shut down, and he spoke publicly about the report for the first time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Charging Trump was not an option, says Robert Mueller |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48450534 |website=] |date=May 29, 2019 |access-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529141823/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48450534 |url-status=live }}</ref> Saying "The report is my testimony," he indicated he would have nothing to say that was not already in the report. On the subject of obstruction of justice, he said, "under long-standing Department policy, a president cannot be charged with a crime while he is in office."<ref name="CNBCconf">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/05/29/robert-mueller-press-conference-on-russia-investigation.html |title=Robert Mueller press conference on Russia investigation |date=May 29, 2019 |website=] |access-date=July 4, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235304/https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/05/29/robert-mueller-press-conference-on-russia-investigation.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He repeated his official conclusion that the report neither accused nor exonerated the president while adding that any potential wrongdoing by a president must be addressed by a "process other than the criminal justice system."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/robert-mueller-speak-today-russia-investigation-trump-2016-election-live-stream-updates-2019-05-29/|title=Mueller: If it were clear president committed no crime, 'we would have said so' |last=Segers|first=Grace|date=May 29, 2019|work=CBS News|access-date=May 29, 2019|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235228/https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/robert-mueller-statement-today-report-investigation-trump-2016-election-live-updates-2019-05/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mueller reasserted the involvement of Russian operatives in the ] and their parallel efforts to influence American public opinion using social media.<ref name="CNBCconf" /> Referring to those actions, he declared that "there were multiple, systematic efforts to interfere in our election. That allegation deserves the attention of every American."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5597526/robert-mueller-statement-investigation/|title=How Mueller's Farewell Subtly Rebuked Trump|last=Vesoulis|first=Abby|date=May 29, 2019|magazine=Time|access-date=May 29, 2019|archive-date=February 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209194323/https://time.com/5597526/robert-mueller-statement-investigation/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Robert Mueller was initially scheduled to publicly testify before two House committees on July 17, 2019, with two hours for lawmakers to ask questions, but the hearing was postponed to July 24 with a third hour added for questions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/79162166468c46b1aa6841eb40a7e48e|title=Special counsel Mueller's testimony delayed until July 24|last1=Jalonick|first1=Mary|date=July 12, 2019|work=Associated Press|access-date=July 21, 2019|last2=Mascaro|first2=Lisa|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235259/https://apnews.com/79162166468c46b1aa6841eb40a7e48e|url-status=live}}</ref> His verbal testimony was expected to help inform the public, and to help Democratic leadership decide whether or not to impeach the President.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/21/politics/mueller-investigation-nadler-says-evidence-trump-guilty-high-crimes-misdemeanors/index.html|title='Very substantial evidence' Trump is 'guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors,' House Judiciary Chair says|last=Sullivan|first=Kate|date=July 21, 2019|website=CNN|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235257/https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/21/politics/mueller-investigation-nadler-says-evidence-trump-guilty-high-crimes-misdemeanors/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In particular, the Democrats{{Which|date=April 2023}} aimed to highlight what they considered to be the worst examples of Trump's conduct.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} Representative ] from Maryland said he would use visual aids, such as posters, to help people understand the implications of the Mueller report.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/ed505b9f02fb4b87931d8ea2a27c47bd|title=Democrats questioning Robert Mueller to focus on obstruction|last=Jalonick|first=Mary|date=July 19, 2019|work=Associated Press|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235220/https://apnews.com/ed505b9f02fb4b87931d8ea2a27c47bd|url-status=live}}</ref> Republicans, on the other hand, planned to question Mueller on the origins of this investigation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/b88a2a9bc3d745439d3f088d2ba783b7|title=House Republicans promise tough questions at Mueller hearing|last=Yen|first=Hope|date=July 22, 2019|work=Associated Press|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235223/https://apnews.com/b88a2a9bc3d745439d3f088d2ba783b7|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On July 24, 2019, Mueller attended both congressional committee hearings and was questioned by members of Congress. His testimony followed the guidelines he had stated would be appropriate regarding his report.<ref name=":6" /> In fact, many of his responses were one-word replies.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/322c2411575248d0bca40c5605bf5836|title=Mueller hearing reaches just under 13 million viewers|last=Bauder|first=David|date=July 25, 2019|work=Associated Press|access-date=July 26, 2019|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235311/https://apnews.com/322c2411575248d0bca40c5605bf5836|url-status=live}}</ref> He said he was "not familiar" with ], the opposition research firm that commissioned the ].<ref>{{cite news |first=Brooke |last=Singman |title=Mueller says he is 'not familiar' with Fusion GPS, the firm behind the Steele dossier |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mueller-says-he-is-not-familiar-with-fusion-gps-the-firm-behind-the-steele-dossier |work=Fox News |date=July 25, 2019 |access-date=July 28, 2019 |archive-date=July 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727201816/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mueller-says-he-is-not-familiar-with-fusion-gps-the-firm-behind-the-steele-dossier |url-status=live }}</ref> He rejected claims that his investigation was a "witch hunt" or that it totally exonerated the President.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/71c78db8033540518f45baf1a6505dff|title=Mueller rejects Trump's claims of exoneration, 'witch hunt'|last1=Tucker|first1=Eric|date=July 25, 2019|work=Associated Press|access-date=July 29, 2019|last2=Jalonick|first2=Marie|last3=Balsamo|first3=Michael|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235314/https://apnews.com/71c78db8033540518f45baf1a6505dff|url-status=live}}</ref> He declined to answer questions outside of the scope of his investigation, but reiterated his concern about foreign interference with American elections. He noted that it continues, that he expects it to expand to include other foreign governments as well as the Russians, and that he considers it a great threat to the United States.<ref name=":6">{{cite news |last=Mariotti |first=Robert |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/25/robert-mueller-hearing-was-awesome-227478 |url-status=live |title=Actually, Robert Mueller Was Awesome: History will show that he had one big goal, and nailed it |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235311/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/25/robert-mueller-hearing-was-awesome-227478/ |archivedate=February 14, 2021 |work=] |date=July 25, 2019 }}</ref> According to the Nielsen Company, total viewership for the Mueller hearing fell just shy of 13{{nbsp}}million, significantly lower than other hearings involving the Trump administration, such as Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's (20.4{{nbsp}}million), former FBI director James Comey's (19.5{{nbsp}}million), and former Trump attorney Michael Cohen's (15.8{{nbsp}}million). Reasons for this comparatively low television rating include the fact that the hearing occurred in July, vacation time for many Americans, and months after the release of the Mueller report. Fox News Channel enjoyed the top rating, with 3.03{{nbsp}}million views.<ref name=":7" /> Subsequently, Mueller's words were distorted and misinterpreted to both defend and condemn the President.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/9c0692a2be224d0f9a400c119143e931|title=AP FACT CHECK: Mueller's words twisted by Trump and more|last=Woodward|first=Calvin|date=July 27, 2019|work=Associated Press|access-date=July 29, 2019|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235319/https://apnews.com/9c0692a2be224d0f9a400c119143e931|url-status=live}}</ref> Mueller's testimony was criticized by some as uncharacteristically confusing.<ref>{{cite web |title=5 losers and 0 winners from Robert Mueller's testimony to the House of Representatives |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/7/24/20708503/robert-mueller-testimony-winners-losers |first=Zack |last=Beauchamp |website=Vox |date=July 24, 2019 |access-date=October 1, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235226/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/7/24/20708503/robert-mueller-testimony-winners-losers |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title='Bob Mueller is struggling' |first=Darren|last=Samuelsohn |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/24/robert-mueller-hearing-struggling-1430317 |website=Politico |date=July 24, 2019 |access-date=October 1, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235322/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/24/robert-mueller-hearing-struggling-1430317 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="upolitics.com">{{cite web |title=Is Robert Mueller Sick? Media Questions Former Special Counsel's Health After 'Frail' Performance At House Hearing |url=https://upolitics.com/news/is-robert-mueller-sick-media-questions-former-special-counsels-health-after-frail-performance-at-house-hearing/ |first=Pablo |last=Mena |date=July 25, 2019 |website=UPolitics |access-date=October 1, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235304/https://upolitics.com/news/is-robert-mueller-sick-media-questions-former-special-counsels-health-after-frail-performance-at-house-hearing/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In late September 2019, it was reported Trump may have lied to Mueller about his knowledge of his campaign's contacts with WikiLeaks, citing the ] redactions in the Mueller report.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/30/trump-mueller-house-democrats-lie-1520156 |title=Trump may have lied to Mueller, House Democrats say; Dems believe the special counsel's grand-jury materials could aid their Ukraine investigation, according to a court filing. |author=Andrew Desiderio |date=September 30, 2019 |website=Politico.com |access-date=October 1, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235242/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/30/trump-mueller-house-democrats-lie-1520156 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="upolitics.com"/> | |||
Political scientists ] and ] described Mueller's decision not to take a position on obstruction of justice for Trump—despite "compiling a mountain of incriminating evidence"—as something that "will surely go down as one of the strangest—and most consequential—moves in modern legal history." They added, "in refusing to draw legal conclusions from his evidence, Mueller simply didn't do his job... because he didn't, he failed to carry out his duty to tell the American people what his investigation actually revealed about Trump's lawless behavior, and he failed to draw a bright line that would keep future presidents within legal bounds."<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Howell|first1=William G.|title=Presidents, Populism and the Crisis of Democracy|last2=Moe|first2=Terry|publisher=University of Chicago Press|year=2020|pages=101}}</ref> | |||
The ] announced in June 2021 that in the coming fall Mueller would participate in a six-session course called "The Mueller Report and the Role of the Special Counsel," along with three of his colleagues from the investigation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/02/mueller-uva-law-school-russia-investigation-491617|title=Mueller to help lead UVa law school class on Russia investigation|first=Ben|last=Leonard|website=POLITICO|date=June 2, 2021 |access-date=June 2, 2021|archive-date=June 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606221408/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/02/mueller-uva-law-school-russia-investigation-491617|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In July 2024, the publisher ] announced that the book ''Interference: The Inside Story of Trump, Russia, and the Mueller Investigation'' will be released in September. Its authors are Aaron Zebley, James Quarles, and Andrew Goldstein, whom Mueller recruited for his investigation as Special Counsel. Mueller wrote the introduction.<ref>{{Cite news |date=Jul 11, 2024 |title=Investigators behind Mueller Report on Trump and Russia will share 'inside story' in upcoming book |url=https://apnews.com/article/mueller-investigators-trump-russia-book-interference-eb21c07ed9f0258d627c0c0c94a7e713 |access-date=July 11, 2024 |work=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bressner |first=Noah |date=July 11, 2024 |title=Scoop: Mueller team's book to reveal inside story of Trump-Russia investigation |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/mueller-trump-russia-prosecutors-book-interference |access-date=July 11, 2024 |work=Axios}}</ref> | |||
== Personal life == | |||
Mueller met his future wife, Ann Cabell Standish, at a high school party when they were 17.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Graff|first1=Garrett M.|author-link=Garrett Graff|title=The Threat Matrix: Inside Robert Mueller's FBI and the War on Global Terror|date=2011|publisher=Little, Brown|isbn=9780316120883|page=108|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vVVLVEApMLkC&pg=PT108|access-date=June 24, 2017|ref=Graff|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210070145/https://books.google.com/books?id=vVVLVEApMLkC&pg=PT108|archive-date=February 10, 2018}}</ref> Standish attended ] in ], and ], before working as a special-education teacher for children with learning disabilities.<ref name="time2001">{{cite magazine|last1=Shannon|first1=Elaine|last2=Cooper|first2=Matthew|title=The FBI's Top Gun|url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1000317,00.html|access-date=June 24, 2017|magazine=Time|date=July 16, 2001|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723021345/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1000317,00.html|archive-date=July 23, 2014}}</ref> In September 1966, they married at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ann Cabell Standish Engaged to Robert Swan Mueller 3d|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1966/07/03/93850798.html|access-date=June 24, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=July 3, 1966|url-access=subscription|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235223/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1966/07/03/93850798.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=9 Are Attendants Of Ann Standish At Her Wedding; She Is Bride of Robert Mueller 3d, Alumnus of Princeton U.|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1966/09/04/82895757.html?pageNumber=58|access-date=June 24, 2017|work=]|date=September 4, 1966|url-access=subscription|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235226/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1966/09/04/82895757.html?pageNumber=58|url-status=live}}</ref> They have two daughters and three grandchildren.<ref>{{cite news|title=Attorney General Eric Holder Delivers Remarks at the Farewell Ceremony for FBI Director Robert S. Mueller|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-eric-holder-delivers-remarks-farewell-ceremony-fbi-director-robert-s|access-date=June 24, 2017|publisher=United States Department of Justice|date=August 1, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804114406/https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-eric-holder-delivers-remarks-farewell-ceremony-fbi-director-robert-s|archive-date=August 4, 2017}}</ref> One of their daughters was born with ].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Slater|first1=Joanna|title=Meet Robert Mueller: The 'unique' figure in Washington investigating Trump|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/robert-mueller-the-man-investigating-donald-trump/article35352750/|access-date=June 24, 2017|work=The Globe and Mail|date=June 18, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623161158/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/robert-mueller-the-man-investigating-donald-trump/article35352750/|archive-date=June 23, 2017}}</ref> | |||
In 2001, Mueller's Senate confirmation hearings to head the FBI were delayed several months while he underwent treatment for ].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hancock|first1=Larry|title=Surprise Attack: From Pearl Harbor to 9/11 to Benghazi|date=2015|publisher=Counterpoint|isbn=9781619026575|page=|url=https://archive.org/details/surpriseattackfr0000hanc|url-access=registration|access-date=June 24, 2017}}</ref> He was diagnosed in the fall of 2000, postponing being sworn in as FBI director until he received a good prognosis from his physician.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Altman|first1=Lawrence K.|last2=Johnston|first2=David|title=View After Cancer Surgery Is Good for F.B.I. Director|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/15/us/view-after-cancer-surgery-is-good-for-fbi-director.html|access-date=June 24, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=August 15, 2001|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804113958/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/15/us/view-after-cancer-surgery-is-good-for-fbi-director.html|archive-date=August 4, 2017}}</ref> | |||
Although raised ], he became an ] later in life.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2008/08/01/the-ultimate-g-man-robert-mueller-remakes-the-fbi/ |title=The Ultimate G-Man: Robert Mueller Remakes the FBI |date=August 1, 2008 |first=Garrett M. |last=Graff |access-date=January 21, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208053002/https://www.washingtonian.com/2008/08/01/the-ultimate-g-man-robert-mueller-remakes-the-fbi/ |archive-date=February 8, 2018 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
Mueller and ]—the attorney general who supervised the late stage of Mueller's special counsel investigation—have known each other since the 1980s and have been described as good friends. Mueller attended the weddings of two of Barr's daughters, and their wives attend ] together.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/15/trump-russia-mueller-barr-friends-1102244|title=New Trump-Russia subplot: Mueller and Barr are 'good friends'|first=Darren|last=Samuelsohn|website=]|date=January 15, 2019|access-date=April 5, 2019|archive-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404112742/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/15/trump-russia-mueller-barr-friends-1102244|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Military awards== | |||
Mueller received the following military awards and decorations:<ref name="militarydocs">{{cite web |url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4386090-Read-Mueller-s-military-documents.html/ |title=Read Mueller's military documents |date=February 1, 2018 |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235320/https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4386090-Read-Mueller-s-military-documents.html/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|other_device=nv|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg|width=103}} | |||
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|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} | |||
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} | |||
|{{Ribbon devices|number=4|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} | |||
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|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnamese Gallantry Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -66px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">]</span> | |||
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|colspan=4 style=text-align:center;|] w/] | |||
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|colspan=2|] w/ ] and ] | |||
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|] w/ 4 bronze ]s | |||
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|colspan=2|] for rifle | |||
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|colspan=2|]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.westpointaog.org/events/thayer-award-robert-mueller-speech |title=Robert S. Mueller III 2016 Thayer Award Recipient Speech |date=October 6, 2016 |access-date=July 24, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235321/https://www.westpointaog.org/events/thayer-award-robert-mueller-speech |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
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== References == | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
== Further reading == | |||
* {{Cite book |last=Graff |first=Garrett |year=2011 |title=The Threat Matrix: Inside Robert Mueller's FBI and the War on Global Terror |location=New York |publisher=Little, Brown and Company |isbn=978-0316068611 |oclc=696603476}} | |||
* {{Cite book |last=Mayer |first=Jane |year=2009 |title=The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned into a War on American Ideals |title-link=The Dark Side (book) |location=New York |publisher=Anchor Books |isbn=978-0307456298 |oclc=259266095}} | |||
== External links == | |||
{{Sister project links|d=y|s=Author:Robert Swan Mueller|c=Robert Mueller|commonscat=Category:Robert Swan Mueller III |b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|wikt=no}} | |||
* at the ] and | |||
* {{C-SPAN|19703}} | |||
* {{Charlie Rose view|22364}} | |||
* {{IMDb name|1694507}} | |||
* {{New York Times topic|people/m/robert_s_iii_mueller}} | |||
* {{cite news|last=Graff|first=Garrett|author-link=Garrett Graff|url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2008/08/01/the-ultimate-g-man-robert-mueller-remakes-the-fbi|title=The Ultimate G-Man: Robert Mueller Remakes the FBI|work=Washingtonian|date=August 1, 2008}} | |||
* {{cite news|last=Graff|first=Garrett|url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2008/09/01/robert-mueller-taking-on-the-terrorists|title=Robert Mueller: Taking on the Terrorists|work=Washingtonian|date=September 1, 2008}} | |||
* {{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/full-transcript-robert-mueller-house-committee-testimony-n1033216|title=Full transcript: Mueller testimony before House Judiciary, Intelligence committees|date=July 25, 2019|publisher=NBC News|access-date=August 14, 2019}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 10:08, 17 November 2024
American attorney (born 1944)For other people with similar names, see Robert Muller (disambiguation).
Robert Mueller | |
---|---|
Official portrait, 2011 | |
Special Counsel for the United States Department of Justice | |
In office May 17, 2017 – May 29, 2019 | |
Appointed by | Rod Rosenstein |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Office abolished |
6th Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation | |
In office September 4, 2001 – September 4, 2013 | |
President | George W. Bush Barack Obama |
Deputy | Thomas J. Pickard Bruce J. Gebhardt John S. Pistole Timothy P. Murphy Sean M. Joyce |
Preceded by | Louis Freeh Thomas J. Pickard (acting) |
Succeeded by | James Comey |
United States Deputy Attorney General | |
Acting January 20, 2001 – May 10, 2001 | |
President | George W. Bush |
Preceded by | Eric Holder |
Succeeded by | Larry Thompson |
United States Attorney for the Northern District of California | |
In office August 1998 – August 2001 | |
President | Bill Clinton George W. Bush |
Preceded by | Michael Yamaguchi |
Succeeded by | Kevin V. Ryan |
United States Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division | |
In office August 1990 – January 1993 | |
President | George H. W. Bush |
Preceded by | Edward Dennis |
Succeeded by | Jo Ann Harris |
United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | |
Acting October 10, 1986 – April 6, 1987 | |
President | Ronald Reagan |
Preceded by | Bill Weld |
Succeeded by | Frank L. McNamara Jr. |
Personal details | |
Born | Robert Swan Mueller III (1944-08-07) August 7, 1944 (age 80) New York City, New York, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse |
Ann Cabell Standish (m. 1966) |
Children | 2 |
Education | |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1968–1971 |
Rank | Captain |
Unit | H Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division |
Commands | Platoon commander |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | |
Robert Mueller's voice
Mueller, as FBI director, testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on reauthorizing portions of the Patriot Act Recorded April 5, 2005 | |
Robert Swan Mueller III (/ˈmʌlər/; born August 7, 1944) is an American lawyer who served as the sixth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 2001 to 2013.
A graduate of Princeton University and New York University, Mueller served as a Marine Corps officer during the Vietnam War, receiving a Bronze Star for heroism and a Purple Heart. He subsequently attended the University of Virginia School of Law. Mueller is a registered Republican in Washington, D.C., and was appointed and reappointed to Senate-confirmed positions by presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.
Mueller has served both in government and private practice. He was an assistant United States attorney, a United States attorney, United States assistant attorney general for the Criminal Division, a homicide prosecutor in Washington, D.C., acting United States deputy attorney general, partner at D.C. law firm WilmerHale and director of the FBI. He is the only FBI Director that Congress has allowed to serve more than the statutory limit of 10 years since the death of J. Edgar Hoover in 1972 by giving him a special two-year extension.
On May 17, 2017, Mueller was appointed by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein as special counsel overseeing an investigation into allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and related matters. He submitted his report to Attorney General William Barr on March 22, 2019. On April 18, the Department of Justice released it. On May 29, he resigned his post and the Office of the Special Counsel was closed.
Early life and education
Mueller was born on August 7, 1944, at Doctors Hospital in the New York City borough of Manhattan, the first child of Alice C. Truesdale (1920–2007) and Robert Swan Mueller Jr. (1916–2007). He has four younger sisters: Susan, Sandra, Joan, and Patricia. His father was an executive with DuPont who had served as a Navy officer in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters during World War II. His father majored in psychology at Princeton University and played varsity lacrosse.
Mueller is of German, English, and Scottish descent. His paternal great-grandfather, Gustave A. Mueller, was a prominent doctor in Pittsburgh, whose own father, August C. E. Müller, had immigrated to the United States in 1855 from the Province of Pomerania in the Kingdom of Prussia (a historical territory whose area included land now part of Poland and the north-eastern edge of Germany). On his mother's side, he is a great-grandson of the railroad executive William Truesdale.
Mueller grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, where he attended Princeton Country Day School (now known as the Princeton Day School). After he completed eighth grade, his family moved to Philadelphia while Mueller himself went on to attend St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire for high school, where he was captain of the soccer, hockey, and lacrosse teams and won the Gordon Medal as the school's top athlete in 1962. A lacrosse teammate and classmate at St. Paul's School was future Massachusetts Senator and Secretary of State John Kerry.
After graduating from St. Paul's, Mueller entered Princeton University, where he continued to play lacrosse, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in politics in 1966 after completing a senior thesis titled "Acceptance of Jurisdiction in the South West Africa Cases." Mueller was a member of University Cottage Club while he was a student at Princeton. Mueller earned a Master of Arts in international relations from New York University in 1967.
In 1968, Mueller joined the United States Marine Corps. After his military service, he enrolled at the University of Virginia School of Law where he served on the Virginia Law Review and graduated in 1973.
United States Marine Corps service
Mueller has cited the combat death of his Princeton lacrosse teammate David Spencer Hackett in the Vietnam War as an influence on his decision to pursue military service. Of his classmate, Mueller has said, "One of the reasons I went into the Marine Corps was because we lost a very good friend, a Marine in Vietnam, who was a year ahead of me at Princeton. There were a number of us who felt we should follow his example and at least go into the service. And it flows from there." Hackett was a Marine Corps first lieutenant in the infantry and was killed in 1967 in Quảng Trị province by small arms fire.
After waiting a year so a knee injury could heal, Mueller was accepted for officer training in the United States Marine Corps in 1968, attending training at Parris Island, Officer Candidate School, Army Ranger School, and Army jump school. Of these, he said later that he considered Ranger School the most valuable because he felt "more than anything teaches you about how you react with no sleep and nothing to eat."
In the summer of 1968, he was sent to South Vietnam, where he served as a rifle platoon leader as a second lieutenant with Second Platoon, H Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. On December 11, 1968, during an engagement in Operation Scotland II, he earned the Bronze Star with "V" device for combat valor for rescuing a wounded Marine under enemy fire during an ambush in which he saw half of his platoon become casualties. In April 1969, he received an enemy gunshot wound in the thigh, recovered, and returned to lead his platoon until June 1969. For his service in and during the Vietnam War, his military decorations and awards include: the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", Purple Heart Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals with Combat "V", Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four service stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Parachutist Badge.
After recuperating at a field hospital near Da Nang, Mueller became aide-de-camp to 3rd Marine Division's commanding general, then–Major General William K. Jones, where he "significantly contributed to the rapport" Jones had with other officers, according to one report.
Mueller had originally considered making the Marines his career, but he explained later that he found non-combat life in the corps to be unexciting. After returning from South Vietnam, Mueller was briefly stationed at Henderson Hall, before leaving active-duty service in August 1970 at the rank of captain.
Reflecting on his service in the Vietnam War, Mueller said, "I consider myself exceptionally lucky to have made it out of Vietnam. There were many—many—who did not. And perhaps because I did survive Vietnam, I have always felt compelled to contribute." In 2009, he told a writer that despite his other accomplishments, he was still "most proud the Marine Corps deemed me worthy of leading other Marines."
Career
Private practice and Department of Justice
After receiving his Juris Doctor in 1973 from the University of Virginia School of Law, Mueller worked as a litigator at the firm Pillsbury, Madison and Sutro in San Francisco until 1976. He then served for 12 years in United States Attorney offices. He first worked in the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California in San Francisco, where he rose to be chief of the criminal division, and in 1982, he moved to Boston to work in the office of the U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts as an Assistant United States Attorney, where he investigated and prosecuted major financial fraud, terrorism and public corruption cases, as well as narcotics conspiracies and international money launderers.
After serving as a partner at the Boston law firm of Hill and Barlow, Mueller returned to government service. In 1989, he served in the United States Department of Justice as an assistant to Attorney General Dick Thornburgh and as acting deputy attorney general. James Baker, with whom he worked on national security matters, said he had "an appreciation for the Constitution and the rule of law".
In 1990, Mueller became the United States Assistant Attorney General in charge of the United States Department of Justice Criminal Division. During his tenure, he oversaw prosecutions including that of Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, the Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie bombing) case, and of the Gambino crime family boss John Gotti.
In 1991, Mueller declared the government had been investigating the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) since 1986 in more-than-usual media exposure. Also in 1991, he was elected a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
In 1993, Mueller became a partner at Boston's Hale and Dorr, specializing in white-collar crime litigation. He returned to public service in 1995 as senior litigator in the homicide section of the District of Columbia United States Attorney's Office. In 1998, Mueller was named U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California and held that position until 2001.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
President George W. Bush nominated Mueller for the position of FBI director on July 5, 2001. He and two other candidates, Washington lawyer George J. Terwilliger III and veteran Chicago prosecutor and white-collar crime defense lawyer Dan Webb, were up for the job, but Mueller, described at the time as a conservative Republican, was always considered the front-runner. Terwilliger and Webb both pulled out from consideration around mid-June, while confirmation hearings for Mueller before the Senate Judiciary Committee were quickly set for July 30, only three days before his prostate cancer surgery.
The Senate unanimously confirmed Mueller as FBI director on August 2, 2001, voting 98–0 in favor of his appointment. He had previously served as acting deputy attorney general of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) for several months before officially becoming the FBI director on September 4, 2001, one week before the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
On February 11, 2003, one month before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, Mueller gave testimony to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Mueller informed the American public that "even countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism—Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Cuba, and North Korea—remain active in the United States and continue to support terrorist groups that have targeted Americans. As Director Tenet has pointed out, Secretary Powell presented evidence last week that Baghdad has failed to disarm its weapons of mass destruction, willfully attempting to evade and deceive the international community. Our particular concern is that Saddam Hussein may supply terrorists with biological, chemical or radiological material." Highlighting this worry in February 2003, FBI Special Agent Coleen Rowley wrote an open letter to Mueller in which she warned that "the bureau will be able to stem the flood of terrorism that will likely head our way in the wake of an attack on Iraq" and encouraged Mueller to "share with the President and Attorney General."
On March 10, 2004, while United States Attorney General John Ashcroft was at the George Washington University Hospital for gallbladder surgery, then deputy attorney general James Comey received a call from Ashcroft's wife informing him that White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card and White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales were about to visit Ashcroft to convince him to renew a program of warrantless wiretapping under the Terrorist Surveillance Program which the DOJ ruled unconstitutional. Ashcroft refused to sign, as he had previously agreed, but the following day the White House renewed the program anyway. Mueller and Comey then threatened to resign. On March 12, 2004, after private, individual meetings with Mueller and Comey at the White House, the president supported changing the program to satisfy the concerns of Mueller, Ashcroft, and Comey.
He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2004.
As director, Mueller also barred FBI personnel from participating in enhanced interrogations with the CIA. At a dinner, Mueller defended an attorney, Thomas Wilner, who had been attacked for his role in defending Kuwaiti detainees. Mueller stood up, raised his glass, and said, "I toast Tom Wilner. He's doing what an American should." However, the White House pushed back, encouraging more vigorous methods of pursuing and interrogating terror suspects. When Bush confronted Mueller to ask him to round up more terrorists in the U.S., Mueller responded, saying, "If they don't commit a crime, it would be difficult to identify and isolate" them. Vice President Dick Cheney objected by saying, "That's just not good enough. We're hearing this too much from the FBI."
In May 2011, President Barack Obama asked Mueller to continue at the helm of the FBI for two additional years beyond his normal 10-year term, which would have expired on September 4, 2011. The Senate approved this request 100–0 on July 27, 2011. On September 4, 2013, Mueller was replaced by James Comey.
In June 2013, Mueller defended NSA surveillance programs in testimony before a House Judiciary Committee hearing. He said that surveillance programs could have "derailed" the September 11 attacks. Congressman John Conyers disagreed: "I am not persuaded that that makes it OK to collect every call." Mueller also testified that the government's surveillance programs complied "in full with U.S. law and with basic rights guaranteed under the Constitution". He said that "We are taking all necessary steps to hold Edward Snowden responsible for these disclosures."
On June 19, 2017, in the case of Arar v. Ashcroft, Mueller, along with Ashcroft and former Immigration and Naturalization Services Commissioner James W. Ziglar and others, was shielded from civil liability by the Supreme Court for post-9/11 detention of Muslims under policies then brought into place.
Return to private sector
After leaving the FBI in 2013, Mueller served a one-year term as consulting professor and the Arthur and Frank Payne distinguished lecturer at Stanford University, where he focused on issues related to cybersecurity.
In addition to his speaking and teaching roles, Mueller also joined the law firm WilmerHale as a partner in its Washington office in 2014. Among other roles at the firm, he oversaw the independent investigation into the NFL's conduct surrounding the video that appeared to show NFL player Ray Rice assaulting his fiancée. In January 2016, he was appointed as Settlement Master in the U.S. consumer litigation over the Volkswagen emissions scandal; as of May 11, 2017, the scandal has resulted in $11.2 billion in customer settlements.
On October 19, 2016, Mueller began an external review of "security, personnel, and management processes and practices" at government contractor Booz Allen Hamilton after Harold T. Martin III was indicted for massive data theft from the National Security Agency. On April 6, 2017, he was appointed as Special Master for disbursement of $850 million and $125 million for automakers and consumers, respectively, affected by rupture-prone Takata airbags.
Mueller received the 2016 Thayer Award for public service from the United States Military Academy. In June 2017, he received the Baker Award for intelligence and national security contributions from the nonprofit Intelligence and National Security Alliance.
In October 2019, it was announced that Mueller, along with James L. Quarles and Aaron Zebley, would return to WilmerHale to resume private practice. On July 11, 2020, Mueller wrote an op-ed on The Washington Post stating that Roger Stone "remains a convicted felon, and rightly so" after the President of the United States granted Roger Stone clemency and defended his investigation.
Special Counsel for the Department of Justice
Main article: Mueller special counsel investigation Further information: Dismissal of James Comey and Russian interference in the 2016 United States electionsOn May 16, 2017, Mueller met with President Trump as a courtesy to provide perspectives on the FBI and input on considerations for hiring a new FBI Director. This meeting was initially widely reported to have been an interview to serve again as the FBI Director. President Trump broached resuming the position in their meeting; however, Mueller was ineligible to return as FBI Director due to statutory term limits, and Mueller lacked interest in resuming the position.
The next day, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Mueller to serve as special counsel for the United States Department of Justice. In this capacity, Mueller oversaw the investigation into "any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump, and any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation".
Mueller's appointment to oversee the investigation immediately garnered widespread support from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress. Newt Gingrich, former Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives and prominent conservative political commentator, stated via Twitter that "Robert Mueller is a superb choice to be special counsel. His reputation is impeccable for honesty and integrity." Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) said, "Former Director Mueller is exactly the right kind of individual for this job. I now have significantly greater confidence that the investigation will follow the facts wherever they lead." Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) stated, "former FBI dir. Mueller is well qualified to oversee this probe". Some, however, pointed out an alleged conflict of interest. "The federal code could not be clearer—Mueller is compromised by his apparent conflict of interest in being close with James Comey," Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ), who first called for Mueller to step down over the summer, said in a statement to Fox News. "The appearance of a conflict is enough to put Mueller in violation of the code. … All of the revelations in recent weeks make the case stronger."
Upon his appointment as special counsel, Mueller and two colleagues (former FBI agent Aaron Zebley and former assistant special prosecutor on the Watergate Special Prosecution Force James L. Quarles III) resigned from WilmerHale. On May 23, 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice ethics experts announced they had declared Mueller ethically able to function as special counsel. The spokesperson for the special counsel, Peter Carr, told NBC News that Mueller has taken an active role in managing the inquiry. In an interview with the Associated Press, Rosenstein said he would recuse himself from supervision of Mueller if he were to become a subject in the investigation due to his role in the dismissal of James Comey.
On June 14, 2017, The Washington Post reported that Mueller's office was also investigating Trump personally for possible obstruction of justice, in reference to the Russian probe. The report was questioned by Trump's legal team attorney Jay Sekulow, who said on June 18 on NBC's Meet the Press, "The President is not and has not been under investigation for obstruction, period." Due to the central role of the Trump family in the campaign, the transition, and the White House, the President's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, was also reportedly under scrutiny by Mueller. Also in June, Trump allegedly ordered the firing of Robert Mueller, but backed down when then-White House Counsel Don McGahn threatened to quit.
During a discussion about national security at the Aspen security conference on July 21, 2017, former CIA director John Brennan reaffirmed his support for Mueller and called for members of Congress to resist if Trump fires Mueller. He also said it was "the obligation of some executive-branch officials to refuse to carry out some of these orders that, again, are inconsistent with what this country is all about". After Peter Strzok, an investigator for Mueller, was removed from the investigation for alleged partiality, Senator Mark Warner, the Ranking Member of the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in a speech on December 20, 2017, before the Senate, warned of a constitutional crisis if the President fired Mueller. On June 22, 2018, Warner hosted a fundraising party for 100 guests and was quoted there saying, "If you get me one more glass of wine, I'll tell you stuff only Bob Mueller and I know. If you think you've seen wild stuff so far, buckle up. It's going to be a wild couple of months."
On October 30, 2017, Mueller filed charges against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and campaign co-chairman Rick Gates. The 12 charges include conspiracy to launder money, violations of the 1938 Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) as being an unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading FARA statements, and conspiracy against the United States.
On December 1, 2017, Mueller reached a plea agreement with former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty to giving false testimony to the FBI about his contacts with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. As part of Flynn's negotiations, his son, Michael G. Flynn, was not expected to be charged, and Flynn was prepared to testify that high-level officials on Trump's team directed him to make contact with the Russians. On February 16, 2018, Mueller indicted 13 Russian individuals and 3 Russian companies for attempting to trick Americans into consuming Russian propaganda that targeted Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and later President-elect Donald Trump.
On February 20, 2018, Mueller charged attorney Alex van der Zwaan with making false statements in the Russia probe.
On May 20, 2018, Trump criticized Mueller, tweeting "the World's most expensive Witch Hunt has found nothing on Russia & me so now they are looking at the rest of the World!" Mueller started investigating the August 2016 meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and an emissary for the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The emissary offered help to the Trump presidential campaign. Mueller was also investigating the Trump campaign's possible ties to Turkey, Qatar, Israel, and China.
On December 18, 2018, The Washington Post published an article concerning a report prepared for the U.S. Senate which stated that Russian disinformation teams had targeted Mueller.
On March 22, 2019, Mueller concluded his investigation and submitted the special counsel's final report to Attorney General William Barr. A senior Department of Justice official said that the report did not recommend any new indictments. On March 24, Attorney General Barr submitted a summary of findings to the United States Congress. He stated in his letter, "The Special Counsel's investigation did not find that the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it conspired or coordinated with Russian in its efforts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election." Mueller's report also reportedly did not take a stance on whether or not Trump committed obstruction of justice; Barr quoted Mueller as saying "while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him."
On April 18, 2019, the Department of Justice released Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election, the special counsel's final report and its conclusions.
On May 29, 2019, Mueller announced that he was retiring as special counsel and that the office would be shut down, and he spoke publicly about the report for the first time. Saying "The report is my testimony," he indicated he would have nothing to say that was not already in the report. On the subject of obstruction of justice, he said, "under long-standing Department policy, a president cannot be charged with a crime while he is in office." He repeated his official conclusion that the report neither accused nor exonerated the president while adding that any potential wrongdoing by a president must be addressed by a "process other than the criminal justice system." Mueller reasserted the involvement of Russian operatives in the 2016 Democratic National Committee email leak and their parallel efforts to influence American public opinion using social media. Referring to those actions, he declared that "there were multiple, systematic efforts to interfere in our election. That allegation deserves the attention of every American."
Robert Mueller was initially scheduled to publicly testify before two House committees on July 17, 2019, with two hours for lawmakers to ask questions, but the hearing was postponed to July 24 with a third hour added for questions. His verbal testimony was expected to help inform the public, and to help Democratic leadership decide whether or not to impeach the President. In particular, the Democrats aimed to highlight what they considered to be the worst examples of Trump's conduct. Representative Jamie Raskin from Maryland said he would use visual aids, such as posters, to help people understand the implications of the Mueller report. Republicans, on the other hand, planned to question Mueller on the origins of this investigation.
On July 24, 2019, Mueller attended both congressional committee hearings and was questioned by members of Congress. His testimony followed the guidelines he had stated would be appropriate regarding his report. In fact, many of his responses were one-word replies. He said he was "not familiar" with Fusion GPS, the opposition research firm that commissioned the Steele dossier. He rejected claims that his investigation was a "witch hunt" or that it totally exonerated the President. He declined to answer questions outside of the scope of his investigation, but reiterated his concern about foreign interference with American elections. He noted that it continues, that he expects it to expand to include other foreign governments as well as the Russians, and that he considers it a great threat to the United States. According to the Nielsen Company, total viewership for the Mueller hearing fell just shy of 13 million, significantly lower than other hearings involving the Trump administration, such as Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's (20.4 million), former FBI director James Comey's (19.5 million), and former Trump attorney Michael Cohen's (15.8 million). Reasons for this comparatively low television rating include the fact that the hearing occurred in July, vacation time for many Americans, and months after the release of the Mueller report. Fox News Channel enjoyed the top rating, with 3.03 million views. Subsequently, Mueller's words were distorted and misinterpreted to both defend and condemn the President. Mueller's testimony was criticized by some as uncharacteristically confusing.
In late September 2019, it was reported Trump may have lied to Mueller about his knowledge of his campaign's contacts with WikiLeaks, citing the grand jury redactions in the Mueller report.
Political scientists William G. Howell and Terry M. Moe described Mueller's decision not to take a position on obstruction of justice for Trump—despite "compiling a mountain of incriminating evidence"—as something that "will surely go down as one of the strangest—and most consequential—moves in modern legal history." They added, "in refusing to draw legal conclusions from his evidence, Mueller simply didn't do his job... because he didn't, he failed to carry out his duty to tell the American people what his investigation actually revealed about Trump's lawless behavior, and he failed to draw a bright line that would keep future presidents within legal bounds."
The University of Virginia Law School announced in June 2021 that in the coming fall Mueller would participate in a six-session course called "The Mueller Report and the Role of the Special Counsel," along with three of his colleagues from the investigation.
In July 2024, the publisher Simon & Schuster announced that the book Interference: The Inside Story of Trump, Russia, and the Mueller Investigation will be released in September. Its authors are Aaron Zebley, James Quarles, and Andrew Goldstein, whom Mueller recruited for his investigation as Special Counsel. Mueller wrote the introduction.
Personal life
Mueller met his future wife, Ann Cabell Standish, at a high school party when they were 17. Standish attended Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Connecticut, and Sarah Lawrence College, before working as a special-education teacher for children with learning disabilities. In September 1966, they married at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. They have two daughters and three grandchildren. One of their daughters was born with spina bifida.
In 2001, Mueller's Senate confirmation hearings to head the FBI were delayed several months while he underwent treatment for prostate cancer. He was diagnosed in the fall of 2000, postponing being sworn in as FBI director until he received a good prognosis from his physician.
Although raised Presbyterian, he became an Episcopalian later in life.
Mueller and William Barr—the attorney general who supervised the late stage of Mueller's special counsel investigation—have known each other since the 1980s and have been described as good friends. Mueller attended the weddings of two of Barr's daughters, and their wives attend Bible study together.
Military awards
Mueller received the following military awards and decorations:
References
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- ^ Levine, Mike (March 22, 2019). "Mueller report handed off to Department of Justice; won't recommend any further indictments, a senior official says". ABC News. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
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- Memoirs of Allegheny County Pennsylvania, Madison, Northwestern Historical Association, 1904, vol. 1, pp. 256–57.
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- Gilpin, Donald (May 24, 2017). "Princeton Day School Presents Alumni Award To Robert S. Mueller III". Town Topics. Archived from the original on June 6, 2017.
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Further reading
- Graff, Garrett (2011). The Threat Matrix: Inside Robert Mueller's FBI and the War on Global Terror. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 978-0316068611. OCLC 696603476.
- Mayer, Jane (2009). The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned into a War on American Ideals. New York: Anchor Books. ISBN 978-0307456298. OCLC 259266095.
External links
- Profile at the Federal Bureau of Investigation and staff
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Robert Mueller on Charlie Rose
- Robert Mueller at IMDb
- Robert Mueller collected news and commentary at The New York Times
- Graff, Garrett (August 1, 2008). "The Ultimate G-Man: Robert Mueller Remakes the FBI". Washingtonian.
- Graff, Garrett (September 1, 2008). "Robert Mueller: Taking on the Terrorists". Washingtonian.
- "Full transcript: Mueller testimony before House Judiciary, Intelligence committees". NBC News. July 25, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
Legal offices | ||
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Preceded byBill Weld | United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Acting 1986–1987 |
Succeeded byFrank L. McNamara |
Preceded byEdward Dennis | United States Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division 1990–1993 |
Succeeded byJo Ann Harris |
Preceded byMichael Yamaguchi | United States Attorney for the Northern District of California 1998–2001 |
Succeeded byKevin Ryan |
Preceded byEric Holder | United States Deputy Attorney General Acting 2001 |
Succeeded byLarry Thompson |
Government offices | ||
Preceded byLouis Freeh | Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation 2001–2013 |
Succeeded byJames Comey |
Awards and achievements | ||
Preceded byGary Sinise | Recipient of the Sylvanus Thayer Award 2016 |
Succeeded byGeorge W. Bush |
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