Former FBI director, who led probe into Russian interference in US election, dies

ROBERT MUELLER, THE former FBI director who led an investigation into Donald Trump, has died aged 81.

The New York Times reported Mueller’s death, citing a family statement.

The US President responded on his Truth Social, writing: “Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!”

Mueller was a well known and respected US lawyer and had served in the US military during the Vietnam War. 

He led the FBI for 12 years, starting just days before the 11 September, 2001 Al-Qaeda attacks on the United States, during which time he built up the bureau’s counterterror operations.

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After his tenure at the FBI, he was appointed as a special counsel for the Department of Justice to lead a probe between 2017-2019 into whether Trump’s presidential campaign conspired with Russia to get him elected.

Mueller conducted the 22-month long investigation that produced indictments against 34 people, including several of Mr Trump’s associates.

There were also charges for Russian intelligence officers and three Russian companies, and a series of guilty pleas and convictions.

Mueller did not pursue Trump for any criminal indictment.

His 448 page report revealed how Russia launched a campaign of hacking and propaganda to cause friction in America, diminish candidate Hilary Clinton and boost the Trump campaign. 

With reporting from AFP.

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