Robert Mueller Has Parkinson's Disease, Family Says [View all]

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Robert Mueller Has Parkinson’s Disease, Family Says

The former special counsel, who led the Russia investigation during President Trump’s first term, has had difficulty speaking in recent months. A congressional committee dropped a request for Mr. Mueller to testify this week.


Robert S. Mueller III, the former special counsel, testifying before the House Judiciary Committee in 2019. Anna Moneymaker/The New York Times

By Michael S. Schmidt and Nina Agrawal
Michael S. Schmidt, an investigative reporter, covered Robert S. Mueller III as F.B.I. director and special counsel. Nina Agrawal is a health reporter who covers chronic diseases.
Aug. 31, 2025

Robert S. Mueller III, the former special counsel who investigated ties between President Trump’s campaign and Russia, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease four years ago, his family said in a statement on Sunday.

In recent months, Mr. Mueller, a former F.B.I. director, has had difficulty speaking and experienced mobility issues, people familiar with his condition said. As a result, a congressional committee has withdrawn a request for Mr. Mueller to give testimony this week in its inquiry into the government’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigations.

“Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the summer of 2021,” the family said in a statement to The New York 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.”

The statement from the family came after the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee said it would subpoena him to testify on Tuesday. The committee had sought to question Mr. Mueller, 81, about the F.B.I.’s handling of the Epstein investigation when he served as its director from 2001 to 2013.

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Michael S. Schmidt is an investigative reporter for The Times covering Washington. His work focuses on tracking and explaining high-profile federal investigations.

Nina Agrawal is a Times health reporter.