Eric Holder Statement on the Passing of Robert Mueller

Washington, D.C. — Today, Eric H. Holder, Jr., the 82nd Attorney General of the United States and Chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), issued this statement following the passing of Robert Mueller: 

“This is a sad day for all of us who knew and worked with Bob Mueller, the ultimate public servant, the ultimate defender of the rule of law. I had the good fortune of working with Bob at the United States Department of Justice over a good many years. We served together in the United States Attorney’s office in Washington, D.C., at Main Justice and when he led the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I do not know a single, sentient person who actually ever worked with Bob who would express anything other than great respect for him.

“I am struck by the fact that at many times in his life he chose to take the more difficult path. At a time when men of privilege had the ability to avoid military service, he chose to join and ultimately was wounded as a result in Vietnam. Similarly, when he was a partner at a major law firm, he chose to call me when I was the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and asked to join the office so that he could prosecute homicide cases. This was at a time when Washington was the ‘murder capital’ of the country. Bob had served as the Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division, among the most powerful positions at DOJ. He wanted to join the local U.S. Attorney’s office and be treated as a line lawyer to help a city besieged by violence. I told him I would welcome his joining the office, but that we had to give him some kind of title given his previous service. He insisted, again, that he be treated as any other person entering the office. In this one instance, I overruled him and gave him a title somewhat commensurate with not only his abilities, but his previous position. Ultimately, I named Bob the head of the homicide section in the U.S. Attorneys office after he had served for a number of years, prosecuting cases, protecting victims of violent crime in Washington, D.C. and helping to make the nation’s capital more safe. Later, I called upon Bob to serve as the United States attorney in San Francisco when there was the need for a new leadership in that office. Of course he agreed to do so. When I was Attorney General, I asked Bob to serve an additional two years as F.B.I. Director to ensure that that agency, which is of paramount importance to the rule of law in this country, would be served well by his continuing, able, understated leadership. Again, Bob chose to say “yes.” 

“These were all choices. Voluntary decisions. Uniquely Bob Mueller actions. Every time this nation looked to Robert Mueller for service, for sacrifice and for love of country he agreed. He chose to do those things that made our nation not only more secure but also more just.  

“Bob was more than a colleague to me. He was a friend. To Anne and to his children and to his grandchildren I want each and everyone of you to know that my heart breaks today and that my thoughts and prayers are with you all. I hope that Bob Mueller‘s family is comforted on this sad day by the pride that those of us who served with him all feel. We were all fortunate to work with this great American. Bob made the nation better. He was the best of us.”

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