Robert Mueller was appointed by the Justice Department as special counsel overseeing the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections. Here are 10 things you need to know about him.
Editors Note: Originally published on www.tagtheflag.co in the daily trivia section. If you enjoy U.S. news, U.S. history, and U.S. trivia sign up for America’s Newsletter. It’s the most patriotic way to start your day.
Mr. Mueller admitted that during his St. Paul’s days he was most likely to be found “shooting pucks into the fireplaces in [his] dorm”… — SPS
In Fact,
…there’s nothing bland or diffident about Mueller’s sharp, commanding style, formed on the hockey rinks of St. Paul’s and Princeton and as a Marine officer on the front line in Vietnam. — Time
In the past,
…he [has] proved decisive and careless of controversy. — Time
- Mueller was born in New York City on August 7th, 1944, but he spent most of his childhood in the Philadelphia suburbs.
- He attended boarding school at St. Paul’s in Concord, New Hampshire. He was the captain of the soccer, hockey, and lacrosse teams.
- He received his undergraduate degree from Princeton in 1966 and his master’s degree in international relations from New York University in 1967.
- He served in the Vietnam War and received the Bronze Star, PURPLE Heart, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and two commendation medals.
- When he returned to the United States he attended the University of Virginia, where he received his J.D. in 1973.
- Mueller started his professional law career in San Francisco, ultimately becoming chief of the U.S. attorney’s criminal division branch
- In 1982 he moved to Boston to serve as an assistant U.S. attorney where he dealt with cases of fraud and corruption.
- Mueller was nominated for the position of FBI Director by President George W. Bush on July 5, 2001. He officially became FBI director on September 4th, 2001, just one week before the September 11th attacks.
- In May 2011, President Obama asked Director Mueller to continue at the helm of the FBI for two additional years beyond his normal 10-year term, which was expiring on September 4, 2011.
- He oversaw the independent investigation into video that appeared to show NFL player Ray Rice assaulting his fiancée in 2015.
Bonus: His high WASP name — Robert Swan Mueller III — spawned the nickname “Bobby Three Sticks” when he took the helm of the Justice Department’s criminal division in the 1990s.
Sources: Spies, Wiretaps, and Secret Operations: A-J / St. Paul’s School / Time / Cover Image: Politico