Trump's Lead Attorney In The Russia Inquiry, John Dowd, Just Resigned

Brendan Mcdermid / Reuters

John Dowd resigned Thursday as President Trump's lead attorney in the Russia inquiry, according to several reports, in a major shake-up of the legal team defending the president in the special counsel's investigation.

The New York Times first reported Dowd's resignation, according to "two people briefed on the matter." The Washington Post also subsequently reported the news, citing "three people familiar with the decision."

Dowd and Ty Cobb, another attorney for the president, did not immediately respond to requests for comment from BuzzFeed News.

Dowd's resignation comes five days after he had to walk back comments he made to the press saying he and the president wanted Acting Attorney General Rosenstein to shut down special counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry in light of Attorney General Jeff Sessions firing former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe. Although he initially told the Daily Beast he was "speaking on behalf of the president, in his capacity as the president’s attorney," Dowd later said he was not speaking for Trump.

Earlier this month, Trump denied reports he was displeased with his legal team, saying he was "VERY happy" with Dowd.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates or follow BuzzFeed News on Twitter.

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