Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani to join President Trump's legal team

Show Caption Hide Caption Rudy Giuliani to join Trump's legal team for the Mueller probe Former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani will be the newest member of President Trump’s legal team, Politico confirms. Veuer's Sam Berman has the full story.

WASHINGTON — Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is joining President Trump's legal team as the president looks to end the potentially perilous inquiry into Russia's interference in the 2016 election.

Giuliani, once considered a candidate for attorney general in the Trump administration, brings a big name to the team as well as unrivaled loyalty -- a quality the president prizes.

The addition of the combative Giuliani, who once served as chief federal prosecutor in Manhattan, was confirmed Thursday by lead Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow.

Trump, in a statement issued by Sekulow, described Giuliani as "great."

"He has been my friend for a long time and wants to get this matter quickly resolved for the good of the country," Trump said.

Trump's desire to resolve the investigation, a constant source of frustration, was on display as recently as Wednesday during a press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"So we want to get the investigation over with, done with. Put it behind us," Trump said.

Giuliani called his appointment "an honor."

In addition to Giuliani, Sekulow said that Serene Raskin and Marty Raskin, both former federal prosecutors, also would be part of the team.

"Jane and Marty are highly respected ... with decades of experience," Sekulow said. "They have a nationwide practice and reputation for excellence and integrity.”

The addition of Giuliani and the Raskins comes as the Trump team has been in disarray for nearly a month, following the resignation of chief criminal attorney John Dowd.

Dowd's departure was followed by the quick withdrawal of former prosecutor Joseph diGenova and his wife and law partner, Victoria Toensing. They were on the verge of joining the legal team but cited potential conflicts with other clients swept up in the Russia investigation, led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

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Among the first orders of business for the reconstituted team is to determine whether Trump will agree to an interview with Mueller. Dowd had strongly cautioned against such a move, even though Trump had signaled that he would be willing to speak with the prosecutor.

The president's mood changed dramatically last week, following an FBI raid in New York targeting Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen. The surprise searches of Cohen's law office and home have effectively put the talks on hold, two people familiar with the matter said last week.

Trump reacted angrily to the FBI action, which was prompted by a referral from Mueller's team to federal prosecutors in New York. In part, authorities sought information about an alleged hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, who has claimed to have had an affair with Trump.

Cohen acknowledges making the $130,000 payment days before the presidential election, which some experts believe amounted to an illegal campaign contribution.

When Trump's candidacy faltered late in the campaign following the release of an audio tape in which the then-New York businessman could be heard making crude remarks about groping women, Giuliani was among the few who remained at his side.

"He's ashamed of himself, and he's embarrassed," Giuliani said in the weeks before the election.

Giuliani stressed that Trump made the comments years before he became a candidate for president, attempting to return the campaign to a debate on the issues.

"That election is going to determine whether we have higher taxes or lower taxes," Giuliani told ABC then. "It's going to determine how we deal with this rising crime."

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