President Donald Trump’s lawyer for the probe into alleged collusion between his election team and Russia has left, in the case’s latest legal shake-up.
Ty Cobb will be replaced by Emmet Flood, an attorney who defended ex-President Bill Clinton during his impeachment proceedings 20 years ago.
Mr Trump and Russia have repeatedly denied suggestions of collusion.
Michael Caputo told the cable network he was interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigators on Wednesday.
“They know more about the Trump campaign than anyone who ever worked there,” Mr Caputo said.
Why the legal shake-up?
Since Mr Trump declared last month that he was “VERY happy” with his lawyers, the team has been overhauled.
He had reportedly urged the president to allow himself to be interviewed by Mr Mueller in order to hurry along the inquiry that is overhanging his presidency.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told the BBC that Mr Cobb has been discussing retirement for several weeks and he has done “a terrific job”.
If negotiations between Donald Trump’s legal team and the special counsel’s office have been a delicate dance, Robert Mueller just stomped on his counterpart’s toes.
A subpoena to force the president before a grand jury could start an explosive legal battle that eventually reaches the US Supreme Court. Mr Trump and his lawyers may argue that a president can’t be compelled to answer such wide-ranging questions.
John Dowd, who resigned in March as the president’s top personal lawyer, was said to be against an interview. Others, including recent arrival Rudy Giuliani, appear more open to co-operation.
The US president himself has said he is willing to speak to Mr Mueller, but US media report his enthusiasm has cooled after the offices of his personal attorney were raided.
If a subpoena were issued, Mr Trump’s lawyers could fight it in court, or he could refuse to answer questions by pleading the Fifth Amendment, a constitutional protection against potential self-incrimination.
