Former FBI director Robert Mueller, who led the probe into Trump-Russia ties, has died at 81, drawing a gloating response from the former president.

WASHINGTON: Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who led the politically explosive investigation into Donald Trump, has died aged 81.

The New York Times reported his death, citing a family statement, but did not specify a location or cause.

Trump responded quickly on his Truth Social platform, writing: “Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!”

Mueller led the FBI for 12 years, starting just days before the September 11, 2001 Al-Qaeda attacks on the United States.

During his tenure, he built up the bureau’s counterterrorism mission significantly.

After leaving the FBI, he was appointed as a special counsel for the Department of Justice.

He led the probe between 2017 and 2019 into whether Trump’s presidential campaign conspired with Russia to influence the election.

 The Sun Malaysia