President Donald Trump faced criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans after making a controversial statement about the passing of former FBI director Robert Mueller. Mueller, known for leading the investigation into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 election, passed away at the age of 81 on Friday night. Trump’s social media post shortly after Mueller’s death announcement sparked outrage.
In his post, Trump expressed satisfaction at Mueller’s passing, stating, “Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people.” The response from political figures was swift and condemning.
Adam Schiff, a California senator, condemned Trump’s remarks, calling him out for his lack of decency and fitness for office. Similarly, New York Representative Dan Goldman criticized Trump for celebrating Mueller’s death as a way to deflect from his own wrongdoings in the 2016 election.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump of using the incident to divert attention from pressing issues such as the situation in the Middle East, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) abuses, and the Epstein files. Schumer labeled Trump’s behavior as cruel and intentional.
Even some Republicans disapproved of Trump’s comments. Michael Steele, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, directly criticized the president on social media, denouncing him as vile and hypocritical.
Robert Mueller, the FBI director who transformed the premier law enforcement agency in the U.S. into a terrorism-fighting force after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and who later became special counsel in charge of investigating ties between Russia and Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, has died.
Despite the backlash, some supporters defended Trump’s stance. Activist Laura Loomer argued that Trump was voicing the sentiments of many, while former presidential advisor Roger Stone suggested that Mueller’s fate would be determined by a higher power rather than earthly judgments.