The Latest: 2 lawyers not joining Trump legal team after all

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The Latest on the Russia investigation (all times local):

10:40 a.m.

An attorney for President Donald Trump says that two lawyers who planned to join the legal team handling the special counsel’s Russia investigation won’t be taking those positions after all.

Trump personal attorney Jay Sekulow says in a statement that Washington lawyers Joseph diGenova and Victoria Toensing have conflicts that won’t allow them to represent the president regarding special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.

Sekulow said diGenova and Toensing, who are married to each other, will be “assisting the President in other legal matters.” Sekulow did not specify the conflict, but the couple’s firm has represented other clients in the special counsel’s investigation, including former Trump campaign adviser Sam Clovis.

Reached Sunday morning, diGenova declined to comment. Sekulow’s statement came just days after Trump’s lead attorney, John Dowd, resigned.

___

8:30 a.m.

President Donald Trump says many lawyers and top law firms want to represent him in the Russia case following a shake-up of his legal team.

Attorney John Dowd is leaving Trump’s legal team. He has been key to molding Trump’s legal defense in the special counsel’s Russia’s investigation.

Trump says on Twitter on Sunday that he’s “happy with my existing team.” He notes that “many lawyers and top law firms want to represent me in the Russia case.”

Trump’s attorneys, including Dowd, have been negotiating with special counsel Robert Mueller over the scope and terms of an interview with Trump.

Mueller is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and whether there was any collusion with the Trump campaign.

Trump once again on Sunday insisted there was “NO COLLUSION.”