The House Oversight Committee has officially withdrawn its request for former special counsel Robert Mueller to testify before the panel regarding the Jeffrey Epstein case, after receiving information about his health.
A committee spokesperson told ABC News: “We’ve learned that Mr. Mueller has health issues that preclude him from being able to testify. The Committee has withdrawn its subpoena.”
Mueller’s family told The New York Times in a statement that the 81-year-old has been battling Parkinson’s disease, prohibiting him from coming before Congress: “Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the summer of 2021. 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.”
Mueller, who gained national attention for leading the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential race and released his long-awaited report in March 2019, previously served as FBI director for 12 years. The subpoena had been issued last month as part of a broader push to gather testimony from former Justice Department officials and others. Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer noted in an August 5 letter that Mueller’s role as FBI director from 2001 to 2013 overlapped with investigations into Epstein, making his insights potentially valuable. Comer directed Mueller to appear for a deposition on September 2.
The decision to withdraw comes amid renewed scrutiny over documents tied to Epstein. The Justice Department recently released findings from an internal review, concluding there was no evidence of a so-called “client list” or proof that Epstein blackmailed influential figures. Still, the issue has fueled public debate, with some calling for more openness while sparking division within former President Trump’s political base.
In late August, the administration also made public transcripts of a two-day interview with Epstein’s longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Additionally, the Oversight Committee has announced plans to release certain Epstein-related files it obtained from the Justice Department, with sensitive details redacted.
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