Lead Trump Attorney In Mueller Probe, John Dowd, Resigns

Oooooooh boy.

According to this, John Dowd, the lead Trump attorney in the Mueller probe, has resigned.

President Trump's lead lawyer for the special counsel investigation, John Dowd, has resigned after concluding that Trump was increasingly ignoring his advice https://t.co/w1q8YHvXgq pic.twitter.com/J6e1VaN1c9

— NYT Politics (@nytpolitics) March 22, 2018

The president’s lead lawyer for the special counsel investigation, John Dowd, resigned on Thursday, according to two people briefed on the matter, days after the president called for an end to the inquiry.

Mr. Dowd, who took over the president’s legal team last summer, had considered leaving several times in recent months and ultimately concluded that Mr. Trump was increasingly ignoring his advice, one of the people said. Under Mr. Dowd’s leadership, Mr. Trump’s lawyers had advised him to cooperate with the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, who is investigating Russia’s election interference and possible ties to Trump associates as well as whether the president obstructed the inquiry.

This comes after days of speculation of Trump possibly “firing” Mueller.

He has also privately insisted he should sit for an interview with the special counsel’s office, even though Mr. Dowd believed it was a bad idea.

Mr. Dowd’s departure marks the most prominent shake-up for the president’s legal team since he took over from the president’s longtime personal lawyer, Marc E. Kasowitz.

There doesn’t seem to be any personal animosity, but Dowd won’t say *specifically* why he’s leaving.

John Dowd confirms to NPR that he is leaving the Trump legal team handling the special counsel investigation.

“I love the president and wish him well,” Dowd said. He would not say why he is leaving the team.

— NPR (@NPR) March 22, 2018

Of course, there are theories.

This is certainly a resignation and not a dismissal. Dowd was about as A-list as @realDonaldTrump could hope for. This is not good news for Trump's defense.

— H Nicole Anderson (@hnicoleanderson) March 22, 2018

A few days ago, Representative Trey Gowdy (R-S.C. told @realDonaldTrump attorney John Dowd, "If you have an innocent client, then act like it."

John Dowd has now quit. Sounds like Gowdy hit a really big nerve, if you ask me.

— Alan Jude Ryland (@alanjryland) March 22, 2018

President Trump's top lawyer in the special counsel's Russia investigation, John Dowd, has resigned according to @nytimes. This past weekend, Dowd publicly called for the investigation to be brought to a close. Considered it to be corrupt and biased against the President

— Pat Ralph (@Pat_Ralph) March 22, 2018

Trump’s lead attorney for the Russia probe, John Dowd, resigns…but let’s keep acting like this turnover is normal. Seems like you’re forced to resign when you don’t agree 100% with the President. What’s the point of hiring advisers who will only tell you what you want to hear?

— Brandon Fernandez (@BFernandez31093) March 22, 2018

No word on who will take Dowd’s place.

What could this mean? Thoughts?