Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease

Robert Mueller, who oversaw the investigation into alleged links between Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in summer 2021, his family has revealed. Mueller retired from legal practice at the end of 2021, after which he taught at his alma mater law school during 2021 and 2022.

According to a family statement, Mueller’s health issues have recently affected his mobility and speech, preventing him from fulfilling a congressional subpoena related to an investigation into the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Sources indicated he was scheduled to testify this week before the House Oversight Committee, which previously sought to question him about his tenure as FBI director regarding Epstein’s case.

Concerns about Mueller’s health first arose during his 2019 testimony before Congress, where he appeared to struggle with clarity and speech, with some reports noting his speech was disjointed and his microphone occasionally failed. At that time, he was 74 years old. The recent diagnosis has raised questions about his ability to participate in ongoing investigations.

Descriptions of his current condition note symptoms common in Parkinson’s, including tremors, slowed movement, and speech difficulties—conditions that typically affect those over 60 and for which there is no known cure. Early management of symptoms can improve quality of life, but mental health effects such as anxiety and depression may also develop as the disease progresses.