Robert Swan Mueller III (; born August 7, 1944) is an American lawyer and civil servant. He was the sixth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2001 to 2013. He is a Republican. He was appointed by President George W. Bush and his original ten-year term was given a two-year extension by President Barack Obama.
Quick facts Special Counsel for the United States Department of Justice, Appointed by ...
Robert Mueller |
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 Official portrait, 2011 |
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In office
May 17, 2017 – May 29, 2019 |
| Appointed by | Rod Rosenstein |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
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| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
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In office
September 4, 2001 – September 4, 2013 |
| President | George W. Bush
Barack Obama |
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| Deputy | Thomas J. Pickard
Bruce J. Gebhardt
John S. Pistole
Timothy P. Murphy
Sean M. Joyce |
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| Preceded by | Thomas J. Pickard (acting) |
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| Succeeded by | James Comey |
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Acting |
In office
January 20, 2001 – May 10, 2001 |
| President | George W. Bush |
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| Preceded by | Eric Holder |
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| Succeeded by | Larry Thompson |
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In office
August 1998 – August 2001 |
| President | Bill Clinton
George W. Bush |
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| Preceded by | Michael Yamaguchi |
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| Succeeded by | Kevin V. Ryan |
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In office
August 1990 – January 1993 |
| President | George H. W. Bush |
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| Preceded by | Edward Dennis |
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| Succeeded by | Jo Ann Harris |
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Acting
October 10, 1986 – April 6, 1987 |
| President | Ronald Reagan |
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| Preceded by | Bill Weld |
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| Succeeded by | Frank L. McNamara Jr. |
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| Born | Robert Swan Mueller III
(1944-08-07) August 7, 1944 (age 81)
New York City, New York, U.S. |
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| Political party | Republican[1] |
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| Spouse(s) |
Ann Cabell Standish (m. 1966 ) |
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| Children | 2 |
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| Education | Princeton University (BA)
New York University (MA)
University of Virginia (JD) |
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| Allegiance | United States |
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| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
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| Years of service | 1968–1971[2] |
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| Rank | Captain |
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| Unit | H Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division |
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| Commands | Platoon commander |
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| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
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| Awards | Bronze Star Medal w/ Combat "V"
Purple Heart Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2) w/ Combat "V"
Combat Action Ribbon
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross |
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Mueller is the longest-serving FBI director since J. Edgar Hoover. He is currently head of the Special Counsel investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections.[3]
In August 2025, it was announced that Mueller had Parkinson's disease.[4]
