Robert Mueller Special Counsel for the United States Department of Justice Incumbent Assumed office May 17, 2017 Appointed by Rod Rosenstein Deputy James L. Quarles Preceded by Position not in use 6th Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation In office September 4, 2001 – September 4, 2013 President George W. Bush Barack Obama Deputy Thomas J. Pickard Bruce J. Gebhardt John S. Pistole Timothy P. Murphy Sean M. Joyce Preceded by Louis Freeh Succeeded by James Comey United States Deputy Attorney General Acting In office January 20, 2001 – May 10, 2001 President George W. Bush Preceded by Eric Holder Succeeded by Larry Thompson United States Attorney for the Northern District of California In office 1998–2001 President Bill Clinton George W. Bush Preceded by Michael Yamaguchi Succeeded by Kevin V. Ryan United States Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division In office 1990–1993 President George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton Preceded by Edward Dennis Succeeded by Jo Ann Harris United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Acting In office 1986–1987 President Ronald Reagan Preceded by Bill Weld Succeeded by Frank L. McNamara Jr. Personal details Born Robert Swan Mueller III (1944-08-07) August 7, 1944 New York City, New York, U.S. Political party Republican[1] Spouse(s) Ann Cabell Standish (m. 1966) Children 2 Education Princeton University (BA) New York University (MA) University of Virginia (JD) Signature Military service Allegiance United States Service/branch United States Marine Corps Years of service 1968–1971[2] Rank Captain Unit H Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division Commands Platoon commander Battles/wars Vietnam War Awards Bronze Star (with valor) Purple Heart Medal Navy Commendation Medal (2) (with valor) Combat Action Ribbon South Vietnam Gallantry Cross