Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Family Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis, Citing Health Decline and Withdrawal from Public Life

WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 31, 2025 - The family of Robert S. Mueller III, the former FBI director and special counsel renowned for leading the Russia investigation, announced today that he has been living with Parkinson’s disease since 2021 and will no longer be able to testify before Congress due to health concerns.

According to a statement shared with The New York Times, Mr. Mueller, 81, concluded his legal career at the end of 2021 and officially retired in late 2022. His family said he has experienced increasing difficulty with speech and mobility in recent months, making it impossible for him to comply with a subpoena issued by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for testimony scheduled this week.

“Mr. Mueller was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the fall of 2021,” the statement read. “He instructed at his law school alma mater during the autumn terms of both 2021 and 2022 and officially retired at the conclusion of 2022. His family requests that his privacy be honored.”

The announcement follows the committee’s plan to question Mr. Mueller about the FBI’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigations during his tenure as director from 2001 to 2013. Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) had indicated he would seek Mr. Mueller’s insights into the bureau’s management of Epstein-related inquiries and legal actions.

Mr. Mueller, appointed FBI director just two weeks before the September 11 attacks, earned a reputation for meticulous attention to detail and formidable stamina. As special counsel under President Trump, he oversaw the probe into alleged collusion between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia, ultimately finding insufficient evidence to charge conspiracy but outlining multiple instances of potential obstruction of justice.

The family’s statement underscored Mr. Mueller’s preference for privacy and his withdrawal from public life, noting that he has not engaged in public-facing roles since his retirement. Congressional aides indicated they will review alternative means to secure his testimony, but no new date has been proposed.

Representatives for the Oversight Committee had no comment beyond acknowledging receipt of the family’s announcement. Mr. Mueller’s successor at the Justice Department will continue to oversee any remaining inquiries into the bureau’s past investigations.