In celebrating Robert Mueller’s death, Trump sank to new depths of indecency | Opinion
Robert Mueller passed away several days ago at the age of 81. I met him briefly in 1982 while we were each serving as assistant United States attorneys in different districts.
Our shared educational background — we both attended the same college and law school — prompted me to follow his career with growing respect and admiration.
Mueller was a Vietnam War veteran who commanded several Marine combat platoons, sustained injuries in action and was honored with decorations for his valor. His commitment to civilian service was equally remarkable.
Over decades, Mueller, a registered Republican, served as both a line prosecutor and supervisor within several branches of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Nominated by Republican President George W. Bush, he subsequently became one of the longest-serving directors of the FBI. In his public service to the American people, he was renowned for his nonpartisan decision-making. The Constitution was his guidepost.
Later, Mueller was appointed as the Justice Department’s special counsel to oversee the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential connections to Mr. Trump and his associates. This last position was his most controversial. Mueller ultimately disappointed those seeking Trump’s removal from office and he garnered Trump’s enmity.
Mueller’s passing prompted heartfelt responses from leaders across the political spectrum. Republican President Bush expressed that he was “deeply saddened” by the loss, emphasizing Mueller’s lifelong dedication to public service. Democratic President Barack Obama, who extended Mueller’s tenure beyond the standard 10-year term, described him as “one of the finest directors in the history of the FBI” and credited him with saving “countless lives” through his transformative leadership of the bureau.
Individuals throughout the world mourned Mueller’s death, and most Americans recognized his extraordinary contributions to our country. However, the response from our current president was morally debased. Instead of expressing sympathy or respect, Mr. Trump posted: “Good, I’m glad that he is dead.”
Even if referring to a presumed adversary, Mr. Trump’s inhumane public statement as our sitting president is outrageous. It reveals a profound lack of empathy and understanding that, despite our differences, we are the United States of America.
We are one family with diverse views, one family “of the people.” Such a reaction from the nation’s highest office is not merely inappropriate — it warrants our collective condemnation. The expectation of basic human decency transcends political divisions, and it is our American duty to speak out when that fundamental boundary has been crossed.
Continued support for a leader who lacks any sort of moral compass casts a negative light on all those who support or defend him. This is not another political disagreement; it is, unequivocally, a test of our nation’s moral character. To champion someone who so openly fails the standard of human decency is to align oneself with a leader whose actions and rhetoric reveal a disturbing absence of conscience.
This moment marks a clear moral dividing line for all Americans. We must oppose political leaders who either remain silent on Trump’s denigration of Mueller’s passing or believe it was a good thing to defile the death of an American hero. It is time to talk with our neighbors about the depth of Mr. Trump’s indecency and how far down we will let it go. We must insist on leadership possessing both strength and conscience. “We the People” need to lead that effort. Speak up!
Judge Crandall retired in 2022 from the Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County. He is a distinguished professor of law at San Luis Obispo College of Law and a Trustee of its parent institution, Monterey College of Law. The views he expresses are his own.