Statement by President George W. Bush on Robert Mueller:
"Laura and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Robert Mueller. Bob dedicated his life to public service. As a Marine in Vietnam, he proved he was ready for tough assignments. He earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart before returning home to pursue law. In 2001, only one week into the job as the 6th Director of the F.B.I., Bob transitioned the agency mission to protecting the homeland after September 11. He led the agency effectively, helping prevent another terrorist attack on U.S. soil. Laura and I send our heartfelt sympathy to his wife of nearly 60 years, Ann, and the Mueller family."
While Trump dodged the draft, Robert Mueller volunteered for the Marines after graduating Princeton. He was awarded a Bronze Star with combat V, rescuing a wounded Marine while under fire. He was later shot in the thigh, awarded a Purple Heart, and returned to lead his platoon.
Bob Mueller was one of the finest directors in the history of the FBI, transforming the bureau after 9/11 and saving countless lives. But it was his relentless commitment to the rule of law and his unwavering belief in our bedrock values that made him one of the most respected public servants of our time. Michelle and I send our condolences to Bob’s family, and everyone who knew and admired him.
Dover Air Force Base has one job. Honor the fallen. No politics. No branding. No performance.
Every president since Reagan understood the weight of that space regardless of party. You show up as a servant. Not a star. The flag-draped casket is not a backdrop. The Gold Star families in that hangar are not an audience.
Military custom does not actually require a civilian president to salute. Reagan started it in 1981 as a gesture. Every successor understood you earn that gesture with the gravity of the moment. A campaign cap does not carry that gravity. Dover is not a rally. The soldier in that casket earned more than this.
Run the tape. Dignified transfer. Families present. Flag-draped casket. Commander in chief in a USA baseball cap rendering a salute military custom gives him no standing to perform. The disrespect is not one thing. It is layered. Intentional or not the effect is identical… that moment belonged to a soldier and he made it about himself.
@BrianSuttererMD lol thanks doc. My ACL was fully functioning until last Friday. Just because it seems impossible to you doesn’t mean it’s not possible. And yes, my ACL is 100% ruptured. Not 80% or 50%. It’s 100% gone.
@TheAlexisKraft Well we get 10 days to think about it. Then a tough road game on the east coast followed by an international flight…it’s early but it almost feels like a do or die character moment for the season before the bye.
@TheAlexisKraft This one hurts, but you’re right about the flow of the game and how it unfolds. 23 can’t fumble there. But that’s sports. Kyren rocks. He’s good for this franchise. More thoughts to come laying awake in bed the next few nights…
@TheAlexisKraft The floor dropped out in the second half of this game. The Eagles are a better football team at this point. But this is the NFL and the Rams aren’t done yet…I hope…so my sleep will dictate
@TheAlexisKraft My armchair quarterback reply to this game is that I thought this was an early overreaction, but it was in fact the most accurate tactic to endure this game during and after.