People close to the White House described Hope Hicks as someone who has a full understanding of her exposure. | Andrew Harrer-Pool/Getty Images White House communications director Hope Hicks retains lawyer in Russia probe

White House communications director Hope Hicks has retained a personal attorney, as the special counsel's investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia is expected to heat up this fall.

Hicks, 28, has hired Robert Trout, a highly regarded attorney and founder of the firm Trout Cacheris & Janis, according to multiple sources familiar with the hire. Trout is a veteran of the Justice Department. He is also a former assistant U.S. attorney in Baltimore.


Hicks did not respond to multiple requests for comment on Friday night. Trout did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Washington Post on Friday reported that Hicks is one of six White House aides that special counsel Robert Mueller is expected to interview — aides who his team believes were potentially witnesses to relevant moments in the ongoing Russia investigation. Hicks, who was recently elevated to the position of communications director, has been at President Donald Trump’s side since before the official launch of his campaign.

POLITICO Playbook newsletter Sign up today to receive the #1-rated newsletter in politics Email Sign Up By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or alerts from POLITICO. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

People close to the White House described Hicks as someone who has a full understanding of her exposure — at least as a witness — given her proximity to the 2016 campaign and her trusted status as an inner-circle confidante of the president and his family.