Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, condemned President Donald Trump’s response to the death of former FBI director and special counsel Robert Mueller, calling it “disgusting.” This came after Trump publicly expressed that he was “glad” to hear of Mueller’s passing.
“It’s just disgusting,” Murphy said in an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on March 22. “It’s so heartbreaking that we have a president who is cheerleading the death of American citizens. Mueller is amongst many who have been trying to hold this president to account.”
Mueller’s Death
Mueller, 81, died last week after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2021. He was best known for leading the special counsel investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election. His death was confirmed in a statement by his family on March 21, which said, “With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away last night.”
Trump’s Response
In response to the news, Trump posted on social media, saying, “Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!” This comment sparked widespread backlash from both Democrats and Republicans.
Bipartisan Backlash
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, criticized Trump, claiming the president was trying to distract the public from more pressing issues such as rising gas prices, the war, and ICE abuses. Schumer posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Trump’s goal is to distract you from rising gas prices, his aimless war, ICE abuses, and the Epstein files. Don’t give him what he wants.”
Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican from Nebraska, also condemned Trump’s statement, calling it “wrong and unchristian behavior” in a text message to Politico.
Trump and Mueller’s Feud
The feud between Trump and Mueller goes back to Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. Mueller’s 2019 final report concluded that Russia did attempt to influence the election in favor of Trump. However, the investigation found no evidence of collusion between Trump’s campaign and the Russian government.
Mueller’s report did not exonerate Trump on charges of obstruction of justice, stating, “This report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.”
The investigation was a major issue during Trump’s first term, with the president frequently calling the investigation a “hoax.” Mueller’s probe led to the indictment of 34 people, including six former Trump advisers, 26 Russians, a California man, and a London-based lawyer. Seven individuals, including five of Trump’s former advisers, pleaded guilty.
Mueller’s Legacy
Mueller served as the FBI Director from 2001 to 2013. He was also a Vietnam War veteran, serving as a U.S. Marine Corps officer, where he earned several awards, including a Purple Heart.
