President Donald Trump ignited a bipartisan firestorm on Saturday after celebrating the death of former FBI Director Robert Mueller, calling the decorated Vietnam veteran a “bad person” and expressing “gladness” over his passing.
Mueller, who led the high-stakes special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, died Friday at the age of 81. The President’s reaction, posted to his Truth Social platform, has been met with swift condemnation from across the political spectrum, with critics labeling the comments “vile” and “disqualifying.”
Within hours of the news of Mueller’s death, Trump posted: “Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!”
The comment marks a new low in the President’s long-standing feud with the former FBI chief. Mueller, a Marine Corps veteran awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for heroism in Vietnam, served as FBI Director for 12 years under both Republican and Democratic administrations before being tapped as Special Counsel in 2017.
“The President of the United States disgustingly celebrates Mueller’s death simply because he exposed Trump’s efforts to steal the 2016 election,” said Congressman Dan Goldman (D-NY). “Mueller and Trump represent polar opposites of what a public servant should be.”
The backlash was not limited to Democrats. High-profile Republicans and members of the “Never Trump” movement slammed the President for his lack of basic decency. Michael Steele, former Chairman of the Republican National Committee, described Trump as a “vile, disgusting man” who “reeks of weakness and insecurities.”
Critics also pointed to a perceived double standard within the MAGA movement. Many noted that when right-wing activist Charlie Kirk died last year, conservatives demanded—and in some cases secured—the termination of individuals who celebrated his passing.
“I expect every Republican who was outraged at people for celebrating Charlie Kirk’s death to immediately condemn Trump,” said political commentator Harry Sisson.
This is not the first time Trump has broken the tradition of “de mortuis nil nisi bonum” (of the dead, speak no evil). He famously continued to disparage Senator John McCain for months after the war hero’s death in 2018 and recently mocked the late film director Rob Reiner.
While far-right allies like Laura Loomer defended the President, stating he “says what everyone is thinking,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer suggested the provocation was a calculated distraction.
“The cruelty is the point,” Schumer posted, urging the public to focus on policy issues rather than the President’s “spiteful” rhetoric.
Mueller’s 22-month investigation resulted in 34 indictments and multiple convictions of Trump associates. Despite the President’s claims of a “witch hunt,” Mueller’s report documented extensive Russian interference and multiple instances where Trump attempted to obstruct the inquiry.
