Photographer: C. Aluka Berry / The State / Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Photographer: C. Aluka Berry / The State / Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Five lawyers, including Butch Bowers and Deborah Barbier, have left the legal team representing former President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial, CNN reported, citing a person familiar with the changes.
The departures of Bowers and Barbier, who were expected to be the main lawyers, were mutually agreed upon in both cases, according to the station. as saying.
Josh Howard, a North Carolina lawyer who recently joined the team, also left, according to the report, according to a person who knew the situation. Two other lawyers involved in the case, Johnny Gasser and Greg Harris, have left, according to CNN.
Lawyers left because of a disagreement over the strategy, according to the report. Trump wanted them to pursue claims that the election was stolen instead of challenging the legality of convicting a former president, CNN said, citing a person familiar with the exits.
CNN said it had tried to contact lawyers for comments.
Bowers is best known for assisting South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford in 2009, when the Republican legislature considered the impeachment after admitTed lying to helpers about hiking the Appalachian route when he was in Argentina with his mistress.
Deborah Barbier is a former federal prosecutor turned defense attorney specializing in white-collar crimes.
(Add details to the updated CNN report)