One is famed for taking on mafia strongmen like Vincent “the Chin” Gigante and Sammy the Bull.

Another was a jihadi hunter who spent time in the field tracking down Al-Qaeda bombers.

And then there is the man who has already toppled one president, Richard Nixon, by prosecuting the Watergate scandal.

To Donald Trump, the 17 members of Robert Mueller’s legal team will be little known. But they could hold the fate of his presidency in their hands.

This week it emerged that Mr Trump is set to be called for interview by Mr Mueller, the special counsel investigating Russian election meddling.

It has triggered a flurry of activity in the White House, whose legal team is exploring whether answers can be provided in writing, and a tepid response from the man himself.

“We'll see what happens”, Mr Trump said, rowing back on a “100 per cent” promise last year to be interviewed if asked. He added it was “unlikely” to happen.