Robert Mueller, a former special adviser who played a key role in Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and the investigation into Russian connections, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease four years ago, according to his family.
“Bob received his diagnosis in the summer of 2021,” they stated in a communication to the New York Times on Sunday.
After that, he stepped away from his law practice at the end of that year. He also taught at his alma mater during the tumultuous times of 2021 and 2022, before retiring in late 2022. His family requests that people honor his privacy.
Recently, Mueller has faced challenges with movement and speech, which has prevented him from meeting Congress’ requests to testify this week. The House Oversight Committee intended to summon him for inquiries regarding the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
During his tenure as FBI director from 2001 to 2013, legislators aimed to question Mueller (81) about his management of Epstein’s situation.
Mueller’s health issues surfaced publicly back in 2019, when he provided rather halting testimony before the House Judiciary Committee.
At that time, the 74-year-old former FBI director appeared somewhat lost and his microphone malfunctioned, making it difficult for him to hear over the noise from the crowd and photographers.
After witnessing his testimony, Republican Arizona Representative Debbie Lesco expressed her surprise at Mueller’s confusion, noting he struggled to answer fundamental questions.
His family connected this loss of clarity to his subsequent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, which typically affects those over 60, leading to tremors, slowness, and difficulties with speech. While there’s no cure, early symptoms can be managed.
As the condition progresses, it may also bring about mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
The investigation into the Epstein case is being led by Kentucky’s James Kommer, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Notable figures mentioned in connection to the case include former FBI Directors James Comey, along with Hillary and Bill Clinton, among others.
