May 22, 2017

Report: Trump close to hiring legal team over Russia probes

Dave Lawler, author of World

Alex Brandon / AP

President Trump is close to hiring an outside legal team to "help him navigate" the investigations into potential ties between his campaign associates and Russia, the Washington Post's Robert Costa and Ashley Parker report.

Trump is "personally involved" in the search, and has decided to hire multiple lawyers, according to the report, which names four finalists to join the team: Marc E. Kasowitz; Robert J. Guiffra Jr.; Reid H. Weingarten; and Theodore B. Olson.

Why it matters: Trump has been clear that he considers the Russia probes to be part of a "hoax." Hiring outside lawyers shows how seriously he takes the investigation

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Axios
Updated 25 mins ago - Politics & Policy

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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

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Chart: Danielle Alberti/Axios

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Trump commutes Roger Stone's sentence

Roger Stone arriving at his sentencing hearing on Feb. 20. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

President Trump on Friday evening commuted the sentence of his longtime associate Roger Stone, according to two senior administration officials. Stone in February was sentenced to 40 months in prison for crimes including obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements to Congress.

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