US President Barack Obama on Thursday proposed extending the decade-long term of FBI Director Robert Mueller by two years, saying continuity was critical to tackling terror threats. FBI directors are limited by law to serving 10-year terms and their appointments must be confirmed by the Senate.
Mueller, appointed by former president George W. Bush in 2001, took over the Federal Bureau of Investigation a week before the September 11 attacks, which led to a wide-ranging global anti-terror campaign which has dominated his tenure. "In his ten years at the FBI, Bob Mueller has set the gold standard for leading the bureau," Obama said in a statement, adding the FBI chief "had impeccable law enforcement and national security credentials."
"Given the ongoing threats facing the United States, as well as the leadership transitions at other agencies like the Defence Department and Central Intelligence Agency, I believe continuity and stability at the FBI is critical at this time."