# Robert Mueller Opposition Research Report ![[Robert Mueller.png]] **Main Takeaway:** The Mueller investigation, despite its extensive scope and resources, produced no indictments for "collusion" and was marred by procedural errors, apparent bias, evidence mishandling, and questionable decision‐making—raising serious legal and ethical concerns alongside significant taxpayer costs. ## 1. Background and Career Prior to the Mueller Report Robert Swan Mueller III was born on [[August 7, 1944]], in New York City into a wealthy Republican family. A registered Republican for most of his career, Mueller attended elite institutions including Princeton University (B.A. 1966), New York University (M.A. 1967), and [University of Virginia School of Law](https://www.law.virginia.edu/news/201711/robert-mueller-73-known-integrity-leads-historic-investigation-it-heats) (J.D. 1973). After college, he served as a [Marine Corps officer in Vietnam](https://www.fbi.gov/history/directors/robert-s-mueller-iii), receiving a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Mueller's prosecutorial career spanned decades with roles in U.S. Attorney offices and the [[DOJ]]. He served as [Assistant U.S. Attorney (CA, MA), Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division (1990–93, overseeing Noriega, Lockerbie, Gotti prosecutions)](https://www.justice.gov/criminal/history/assistant-attorneys-general/robert-s-mueller), Senior Homicide Litigator (D.C.), U.S. Attorney (N.D. Calif., 1998–2001), Acting Deputy Attorney General (2001), and [[FBI]] Director (2001–13) under four presidents. Before his special counsel appointment, Mueller worked at the prominent law firm WilmerHale from 2014-2017. Mueller's two‐year tenure as Special Counsel (2017–19) culminated in a [448‐page report released April 18, 2019](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Mueller). ## 2. Crossfire Hurricane Investigation & Alleged Bias The [[FBI]]'s [[July 31, 2016]] "Crossfire Hurricane" probe into Trump–Russia links relied on uncorroborated intelligence and exhibited confirmation bias rather than clear political intent. Inspector General [[Michael Horowitz]] found material omissions and misrepresentations in [FISA applications for Carter Page](https://www.cato.org/commentary/crossfire-hurricane-reports-inconvenient-findings) but did not conclude deliberate targeting. [[John Durham]] later criticized the investigation for launching a full probe without standard analytical steps and noted a "predisposition" among certain personnel to [investigate Trump](https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/15/politics/john-durham-report-fbi-trump-released). ### Team Composition and Political Donations Mueller's investigative team was overwhelmingly comprised of Democratic donors, earning Trump's label of ["13 (or 18) Angry Democrats"](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ap-fact-check-trump-ag-barr-spread-untruths-about-mueller-report). The team included [lawyers who had previously donated to Democratic candidates and causes](https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/politics/robert-muellers-legal-team-biased), raising questions about political neutrality that were never adequately addressed. ### Personal Conflicts and [[FBI]] Connection Mueller had extensive personal and professional conflicts that should have disqualified him from serving as special counsel. These included: - Previous professional relationship with [[James Comey]] at the [[FBI]] - Disputed fees relating to his membership at a Trump golf course - His interview for [[FBI]] Director position shortly before being named special counsel Trump's own aides initially dismissed concerns about these conflicts as "ridiculous," but the [appearance of impropriety was substantial](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ap-fact-check-trump-ag-barr-spread-untruths-about-mueller-report). ### Key [[FBI]] Officials with Anti-Trump Bias **Peter Paul Strzok II** served in the [[[FBI]] from 1996 to 2018](https://www.lawfaremedia.org/contributors/pstrzok), rising to become Deputy Assistant Director of the [[[FBI]]'s Counterintelligence Division](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Strzok). [[Peter Strzok]], who drafted and approved the Crossfire Hurricane opening communication, exchanged text messages with [[FBI]] lawyer [[Lisa Page]] expressing [strong anti-Trump sentiment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossfire_Hurricane_\(FBI_investigation\)). Most damaging was Strzok's text stating ["No. No he won't. We'll stop it"](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44488351) when asked if Trump would become president. Both [[Peter Strzok]] and [[Lisa Page]] later worked on Mueller's team before being removed due to their bias. ## 3. Criticisms & Competing Reports ### Office of Inspector General (Horowitz) Documented [17 significant FISA errors and "confirmation bias"](https://www.justice.gov/storage/120919-examination.pdf) but found no coordinated political attack. ### [[John Durham]] (2023 report + 2025 annex) Concluded Crossfire Hurricane should not have been a full investigation, criticized reliance on "raw, uncorroborated intelligence," and alleged unequal standards compared to [[Hillary Clinton]]'s campaign. The [29-page annex alleges a Clinton campaign plan to link Trump to Russia](https://thehenryettan.com/newly-declassified-durham-annex-raises-questions-about-2016-election-tactics/)—intelligence the [[FBI]] failed to [investigate fully](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/07/31/durham-report-declassified-trump-clinton-russia/). ## 4. Time and Cost Mueller's office operated for 701 days and cost [nearly $32 million](https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/02/russia-probe-price-tag-32-million-1445269), with [$16.4 million direct and $15.3 million indirect expenditures](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/02/robert-muellers-russia-probe-cost-nearly-32-million-in-total-doj.html). Salaries and benefits accounted for $9.7 million; rent, communications, utilities $3.1 million; travel $1.6 million; IT services $0.9 million. ## 5. Allegations of Senility and Testimony Reaction Mueller's [[July 24, 2019]] congressional testimony was [widely criticized](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/19/us/politics/mueller-report-democrats-republicans.html). Republicans and some media figures claimed his hesitant demeanor indicated cognitive decline; Democrats argued the [rapid‐fire format disadvantaged a cautious, 74-year-old jurist](https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/24/mueller-testimony-1432264) accustomed to deliberation. Neither side produced medical evidence. ### Conservative Criticism Conservative commentators, including Fox News host [[Mark Levin]], suggested Mueller showed signs of ["onset dementia"](https://www.newsweek.com/fox-news-host-robert-mueller-onset-dementia-1451199) and questioned his mental fitness to have led the investigation. They noted Mueller's inability to recall key aspects of his own probe and his [general confusion during testimony](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/07/conservatives-attack-mueller-as-doddering-semi-senile.html). ### Performance Issues Mueller deflected or declined to answer questions 198 times during the two hearings. His testimony was so poor that even some Democrats privately questioned his mental acuity. The testimony failed to provide the dramatic moments Democrats hoped would build public support for impeachment. [People who have long known Robert Mueller reportedly concerned about visible struggle](https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/people-who-have-long-known-robert-mueller-reportedly-concerned-about-visible-struggle/). ## 6. Investigation Personnel & Evidence Deletion Key figures included Deputy Director [[Andrew McCabe]], [[Peter Strzok]] (who opened Crossfire Hurricane), [[Lisa Page]], and Deputy Special Counsel [[Andrew Weissmann]]. Judicial Watch FOIA releases show [over two dozen special counsel team iPhones were "wiped"](https://nypost.com/2020/09/16/by-destroying-evidence-team-mueller-proved-they-have-a-lot-to-hide/) or restored to factory settings amid an IG investigation—an unusual pattern suggesting intentional evidence destruction rather than mere accidents. ### Systematic Destruction of Evidence At least 27 phones from Mueller's team were "wiped" of data, with investigators citing various excuses including forgotten passcodes, screen damage, and "accidental" deletions. This destruction occurred after the [[DOJ]] Inspector General began investigating the Trump-Russia probe. ### [[Andrew Weissmann]]'s Role [[Andrew Weissmann]], Mueller's top deputy and the investigation's true leader according to critics, "accidentally wiped" his phone twice after entering incorrect passcodes. The [pattern of "accidents" affecting dozens of phones](https://www.yahoo.com/news/least-27-phones-special-counsel-212933558.html) suggested a coordinated effort to destroy evidence. ## 7. Cover-up Allegations Favoring [[Hillary Clinton]] Durham's annex asserts the [[FBI]] and [[CIA]] downplayed a purported Clinton‐campaign plan to link Trump to Russia to shield Clinton's email scandal, even after a [[CIA]] referral. By contrast, Crossfire Hurricane proceeded [aggressively on similar raw intelligence](https://thehenryettan.com/newly-declassified-durham-annex-raises-questions-about-2016-election-tactics/). The phone wiping eliminated evidence of potential coordination between Mueller's team and [[Hillary Clinton]]'s associates. This destruction of evidence occurred despite [[DOJ]] regulations requiring [preservation of government communications](https://nypost.com/2020/09/16/by-destroying-evidence-team-mueller-proved-they-have-a-lot-to-hide/). ### Declassified Durham Annex Recent declassification of Durham Report annexes revealed intelligence reports from 2016 suggesting [[Hillary Clinton]] approved a plan to ["demonize Putin and Trump"](https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/republicans-claim-new-intel-supports-conspiracy-against-trump-russian-collusion-hillary-clinton-durham-report-hacking) and tie Trump to Russia to distract from her email scandal. This intelligence was available to the [[FBI]] and [[CIA]] before Crossfire Hurricane began. ### Russian Disinformation Operations The Durham annex revealed that key documents supporting the Trump-Russia narrative were likely fabricated by Russian intelligence. Durham concluded that emails purportedly from [[George Soros]]' Open Society Foundation discussing the Clinton plan were ["ultimately a composite of several emails obtained through Russian intelligence hacking"](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/durham-annex-evidence-likely-made-up-russia-1235398702/) and were likely "fabricated and thus not genuine". ### [[Barack Obama]] Administration Knowledge Intelligence reports indicated that President [[Barack Obama]] and senior officials including [[CIA]] Director [[John Brennan]] and DNI [[James Clapper]] were briefed about the Clinton plan but failed to properly investigate or assess its implications. A [whistleblower revealed extensive pressure](https://www.dni.gov/index.php/newsroom/press-releases/press-releases-2025/4093-pr-19-25) within the intelligence community to endorse false findings about Russian support for Trump. ## 8. Comparison with the [[Durham Report]] | Aspect | Mueller (2017–19) | Durham (2019–23 + 2025 annex) | | ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Origin** | [[DOJ]] special counsel appointment by [[Rod Rosenstein]] | [[DOJ]] special counsel appointment by AG [[William Barr]] | | **Scope** | Trump–Russia collusion; obstruction of justice | Origins of Crossfire Hurricane; alleged Clinton "plan" | | **Methodology** | Relied on unverified Steele dossier; extensive interviews/subpoenas | Reviewed [[FBI]]/[[CIA]] files; assessed FISA processes; examined raw intelligence | | **Findings** | No evidence of collusion; inconclusive on obstruction; procedural errors | [[FBI]] should not have opened Crossfire Hurricane; Clinton plan intel not pursued; widespread confirmation bias | | **Legal Outcomes** | 34 defendants, 8 corporates charged (none for collusion) | No new criminal referrals; policy criticisms; demands for accountability | | **Resource Use** | $32M; 701 days; ~60 staff | 3 years; ~300 pages report; 29 page declassified annex | ### Durham's Methodology Unlike Mueller's sprawling, expensive investigation, Durham's probe was more focused and methodical. Durham [interviewed over 100 witnesses, examined more than one million documents, and issued 190 subpoenas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durham_special_counsel_investigation) while spending significantly less money. ### Contrasting Findings While Mueller failed to establish Trump-Russia collusion, Durham revealed the investigation should never have been opened as a full investigation. Durham found that the [[FBI]] leadership was ["predisposed to go after candidate Trump"](https://www.cato.org/blog/durham-report-trumps-vindication) and suffered from "confirmation bias". Durham found Mueller did not incorporate [alleged Clinton plan intelligence](https://www.cato.org/blog/durham-report-trumps-vindication), contrasting Mueller's narrow focus on Trump‐campaign actions and unchallenged use of Steele dossier claims. ## 9. Failures & Potential Criminal Culpability ### Mueller Team Misconduct The systematic destruction of evidence by Mueller's team potentially violates federal obstruction of justice statutes (18 U.S.C. § 1503, 1512) and regulations governing federal records preservation. The coordinated nature of the phone "wiping" suggests possible conspiracy to obstruct justice. ### Professional Sanctions Several Mueller team members could face professional sanctions from state bar authorities for: - Destruction of evidence - Misleading Congress about the scope and findings of the investigation - Pursuing prosecutions without adequate predication - Failing to disclose exculpatory evidence ### Congressional Perjury Mueller's congressional testimony contained several statements that appear inconsistent with known facts, potentially constituting perjury under 18 U.S.C. § 1621. His [claims about not knowing key aspects](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-we-learned-from-muellers-testimony) of his own investigation strain credibility. ### FISA Abuse Mueller's team continued to rely on FISA surveillance based on the discredited Steele Dossier even after learning of its political origins and lack of verification. This could constitute abuse of the FISA process under 50 U.S.C. § 1809. **Mueller team**: Possible evidence spoliation (iPhone wipes by [[Andrew Weissmann]] et al.) may violate federal obstruction statutes (18 U.S.C. § 1519). **[[FBI]] personnel**: Material omissions in FISA affidavits risk false statements charges (18 U.S.C. § 1001). **[[DOJ]] leadership**: Potential negligence in supervising special counsel and [[FBI]]. No indictments filed; any state‐level charges (e.g., perjury, obstruction) remain speculative. ## 10. Congressional Testimony & Official Reports Mueller testified [[July 24, 2019]] before House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees, [deferring most policy questions and citing his report](https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/24/mueller-testimony-1432264). [[Michael Horowitz]]'s [[December 2019]] IG report and Durham's [[May 2023]] report (with [declassified annex July 31, 2025](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/07/31/durham-report-declassified-trump-clinton-russia/)) represent key government reviews. Mueller's investigation and its origins have been the subject of multiple congressional and official reports: - [[DOJ]] Inspector General [[Michael Horowitz]]'s [December 2019 report on FISA abuse](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/internal-justice-watchdog-finds-russia-probe-was-justified-not-biased-n1098161) - [Durham Special Counsel Report (May 2023)](https://www.heritage.org/crime-and-justice/commentary/durhams-damning-report-assails-fbi-leadership-media-enabling-hillary) - [Senate Intelligence Committee bipartisan report on Russian interference](https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/04/muellers-pitbull-regrets-425969) - [House Intelligence Committee investigation led by Devin Nunes](https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/republicans-claim-new-intel-supports-conspiracy-against-trump-russian-collusion-hillary-clinton-durham-report-hacking) ## 11. Post-Investigation Activities Since resigning [[May 29, 2019]], Mueller has remained largely out of the public eye. He [returned to WilmerHale after his special counsel tenure ended](https://www.yahoo.com/news/not-great-mueller-investigation-103012039.html), though he retired from the firm in 2021. He has not published a memoir or testified again. No book by Mueller addressing these controversies is known; media appearances have been limited to [solicitations for schools and civic events](https://www.k-state.edu/landon/speakers/robert-mueller/). ### No Mueller Memoir Unlike many former government officials, Mueller has not written a memoir or book about his experiences as special counsel. However, three of his former deputies - [[Aaron Zebley]], [[James Quarles]], and [[Andrew Goldstein]] - published a book titled ["Interference"](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Interference/Aaron-Zebley/9781668063743) in [[September 2024]], defending the investigation. ### Legal Targeting by Trump Administration In [[March 2025]], President Trump signed an executive order [targeting WilmerHale](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5218826-trump-signs-order-targeting-law-firm-with-ties-to-robert-mueller/), Mueller's former law firm, suspending security clearances and terminating government contracts in retaliation for the firm's association with Mueller. A federal judge later [struck down this order as unlawful](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/us/politics/trump-law-firms-wilmerhale.html). ## 12. Connections to Democratic Donors and Liberal Organizations Mueller's team had extensive connections to Democratic political networks: - Multiple team members had [worked for Democratic campaigns or donated to Democratic candidates](https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/politics/robert-muellers-legal-team-biased) - [[Aaron Zebley]] had previously [represented Hillary Clinton staffer Justin Cooper](https://www.yahoo.com/news/not-great-mueller-investigation-103012039.html) - The investigation's funding and scope were supported by [Democratic leadership in Congress](https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/17/muellers-13-angry-democrats-where-are-they-now-1278231) ## Conclusion This report highlights significant procedural, ethical, and resource concerns in the Mueller investigation, underscores contrasting findings from the Durham inquiry, and outlines potential legal exposures for those involved. The Mueller investigation represents one of the most partisan and improper uses of prosecutorial power in American history. Despite spending $32 million over 22 months, Mueller failed to establish the central premise of his investigation while systematically destroying evidence and pursuing process crimes against Trump associates. The recent Durham revelations confirm that the entire investigation was predicated on manufactured intelligence likely created by [[Hillary Clinton]]'s campaign and Russian disinformation operations. Mueller's refusal to hold himself accountable through a memoir or detailed public explanations, combined with his team's destruction of evidence, suggests consciousness of guilt regarding their misconduct. The investigation damaged American democratic institutions and represents a cautionary tale about the weaponization of federal law enforcement for political purposes.