Special prosecutor Robert Mueller, 81, who headed the investigation into Trump-Russia collusion after the election of President Donald Trump in 2016, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2021 and won't be able to testify about federal involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to his family.
“Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the summer of 2021,” Mueller’s family said in a statement to the New York Times on Sunday.
“He retired from the practice of law at the end of that year. He taught at his law school alma mater during the fall of both 2021 and 2022, and he retired at the end of 2022. His family asks that his privacy be respected,” the statement said.
Mueller handled the Epstein case during his tenure as FBI director from 2001 until 2013. He was expected to appear on Tuesday before the House Oversight Committee and answer questions about his handling of the case.
Mueller has had trouble moving and speaking recently, which is why he is apparently unable to testify.
The Parkinson's diagnosis might answer a lot of questions about why Mueller seemed so disoriented and stumbling when he testified before the House Intelligence Committee for three hours in 2019.
“I was surprised that Mr. Mueller was so disoriented,” Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ) told the New York Post after his testimony.
“He was unable to answer some basic questions, which really surprised me,” she said.
Parkinson's Disease usually affects people over the age of 60. It causes tremors, slowness, and speech difficulties, and there is no cure.
Symptoms of the disease can be managed with medications and other therapies, but it is progressive and usually gets worse over time.
After the statement from Mueller's family, the committee withdrew its subpoena for Mueller to testify.
"We've learned that Mr. Mueller has health issues that preclude him from being able to testify. The Committee has withdrawn its subpoena," a committee aide said in a statement.
Mueller was only one of many high-profile witnesses from which the committee sought testimony.
Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee James Comer (R-KY) has also brought in ex-FBI Director James Comey, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton, and former Attorneys General Eric Holder Jr., Merrick Garland, Alberto Gonzales, Jeff Sessions and William Barr to testify about their involvement in the Epstein case.
