New York Daily News

Prez’s Russia case lawyer: I love you, bye

- BY CHRIS SOMMERFELD­T and DENIS SLATTERY

PRESIDENT TRUMP’S top attorney tasked with handling the special counsel’s Russia investigat­ion stepped down Thursday amid a larger legal team overhaul.

Lawyer John Dowd confirmed to the Daily News in a text that he was resigning, adding that he “loves the President” and wishes him well.

Dowd’s departure comes asTrump’s attorneys have been negotiatin­g with special counsel Robert Mueller over the scope and terms of an interview with the President.

Trump said Thursday he “would like to” testify in the ongoing probe into Russian election interferen­ce, something Dowd has advised against.

Mueller is also investigat­ing whether anyone on the Trump campaign coordinate­d with the Kremlin and if Trump obstructed justice.

The President appeared to be embracing a more aggressive approach to the probe.

Trump added former U.S. Attorney Joseph diGenova, a regular Fox News guest who has openly attacked the Russia investigat­ion, to the rotating cast of legal experts earlier in the week.

Trump also hired diGenova’s wife, Victoria Toensing, for the legal team, Fox News reported Thursday.

Remaining on the team is lawyer Jay Sekulow, who moonlights as a right wing radio host. Sekulow often takes to the air to assail Mueller’s investigat­ion.

It was not immediatel­y clear who would take over the top spot.

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