Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who led the investigation into the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, his family told The New York Times.
“Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the summer of 2021,” the family said in a statement to the Times. “He retired from the practice of law at the end of that year. He taught at his law school alma mater during the fall of both 2021 and 2022, and he retired at the end of 2022. His family asks that his privacy be respected.”
People familiar with Mueller’s health said that in recent months, he has had difficulty speaking and has experienced mobility issues.
The news comes as Mueller was set to appear before Congress on Tuesday to testify on the Epstein case, although the House Oversight Committee withdrew its subpoena due to his health conditions.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) wrote in his letter to Mueller last month that “during your tenure as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2001 to 2013, the FBI investigated Jeffrey Epstein for sex crimes.”
“The Committee may use the results of this investigation to inform legislative solutions to improve federal efforts to combat sex trafficking and reform the use of non-prosecution agreements and/or plea agreements in sex-crime investigations,” Comer added. “Because you were FBI Director during the time when Mr. Epstein was under investigation by the FBI, the Committee believes that you possess knowledge and information relevant to its investigation.”
