Former President Barack Obama sparked controversy by praising former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who died at 81, for his commitment to the rule of law. Mueller was the special counsel tasked with investigating allegations that Russia influenced the 2016 presidential election to benefit President Trump. The current administration alleges this was part of a "treasonous conspiracy" by the Obama administration to subvert Trump. Some critics, including Richard Grenell, a staunch Trump ally and one of the president's special envoys, accused Obama of manipulating US intelligence to take out a political enemy. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump faced criticism for a post celebrating Mueller's death.