A former communications adviser to President Trump’s campaign has hired a lawyer to shepherd him through the House Intelligence Committee’s investigation of alleged Russian collusion, as a growing number of associates close to the president seek legal counsel to guide them through congressional and federal probes.
Michael Caputo, a communications aide who left Trump’s campaign in June of last year after posting a controversial tweet, has tapped former New York Attorney General Dennis Vacco to help him with an information request from the House Intelligence Committee, two sources told the Washington Examiner.
His move came a day after Vice President Mike Pence hired outside counsel to represent him in the Russia investigations led by special counsel Robert Mueller. Pence called the decision to hire a lawyer “very routine” for the situation.
Separately, Trump’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen, reportedly hired his own lawyer amid an intensifying House Intelligence Committee probe, according to NBC News’ Katy Tur. Cohen’s reported attorney, Stephen Ryan, did not respond to a request for comment.
Trump was among the first of his team to seek outside counsel, tapping Marc Kasowitz to handle requests related to the Russia probe shortly after Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein named Mueller as special counsel.
Mueller is investigating allegations that Trump campaign associates colluded with Russian officials to release stolen Democratic emails during the presidential race.
