Big names join Trump’s impeachment legal team

WASHINGTON— U.S. President Donald Trump’s legal team will include former Harvard University law professor Alan Dershowitz and Ken Starr, the former independent counsel who led the Whitewater investigation into president Bill Clinton, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The team will also include former Florida attorney general and Trump ally Pam Bondi.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity though Dershowitz confirmed his role Friday on Twitter, saying he would “present oral arguments at the Senate trial to address the constitutional arguments against impeachment and removal.”

“While Professor Dershowitz is non partisan when it comes to the constitution — he opposed the impeachment of President Bill Clinton and voted for Hillary Clinton — he believes the issues at stake go to the heart of our enduring Constitution,” he tweeted.

White House counsel Pat Cipollone and Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow are expected to have the lead roles. Other members include Jane Raskin, part of the president’s legal team during special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, and Robert Ray, also part of the Whitewater investigation. Trump was impeached on charges of abuse of power and obstructing Congress, stemming from his pressure on Ukraine to investigate Democratic rivals as he was withholding security aid, and obstructing the ensuing probe.