White House, Trump’s Son-in-Law Hire Criminal Defense Lawyers

Under intensifying fire over its handling of the Russia investigations, the White House is shaking up its legal team, bringing on board a veteran Washington criminal defense lawyer.

Ty Cobb, who has represented multiple figures in Washington scandals dating back to the Clinton administration, will be joining the White House staff at the end of this month as a special counsel to the president.

At the same time, Jamie Gorelick, who has been representing Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, is turning over all responsibilities for the Russia investigation to Abbe Lowell, another well-known Washington criminal defense lawyer.

The legal moves come as the White House legal team is facing mounting criticism over allegations it has badly mishandled the president’s defense.

Yahoo News reported Thursday night that Marc Kasowitz, the president’s chief outside lawyer, was informed in June about the existence of emails showing the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., met with a Kremlin-connected lawyer.