President Trump's lead lawyer for the Russia probe bails

He felt Trump was ignoring his advice. No Images? Click here         John Dowd Resigns As Trump’s Lead Lawyer In Russia Probe​ John Dowd resigned Thursday as President Donald Trump’s lead attorney assigned to deal with the Russia probe, Jay Sekulow, one of Trump’s personal lawyers, confirmed to HuffPost. “John Dowd is a friend and has been a valuable member of our legal team,” Sekulow said in a statement. “We will continue our ongoing representation of the President and our cooperation with the Office of Special Counsel.” Dowd felt Trump was increasingly ignoring his advice on how to deal with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into whether Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign colluded with Russia, sources told The New York Times and The Washington Post.  “I love the president, and I wish him well,” Dowd told NPR on Thursday. Dowd, who took over Trump’s legal team when attorney Marc Kasowitz departed in July, had encouraged Trump to cooperate with Mueller. Instead, Trump has repeatedly attacked Mueller’s credibility on Twitter in recent weeks. Trump was “pleased” with Dowd’s decision to step down, according to the Times and Post. He had been upset with Dowd’s media appearances over the weekend in which he called on the Justice Department to end the special counsel’s investigation. Dowd initially said he was speaking on behalf of Trump, but later backtracked and said he was only speaking for himself. READ MORE     WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING? Six months late and about 17 hours after they first introduced the bill, House lawmakers on Thursday approved a 2,232-page spending bill that will fund the federal government until October and prevent an imminent shutdown. READ MORE  Included in the budget deal: a provision that would authorize the federal government to study gun violence. Collecting data about gun violence is difficult in the United States because of a 1996 law that restricts federal funding to research the issue. READ MORE Absent from the $1.3 trillion spending plan is any money for the construction of a border wall. At one point, Trump and his advisers had been pushing for $25 billion for the project. READ MORE    .     ICYMI Whenever a white non-Muslim man commits an act of mass violence ― not an infrequent occurrence in recent history ― the online debate begins. Why aren’t authorities calling this terrorism?   When they’re in power, Republicans spend. When they’re out of power, they harp about deficits and debt.   Most Americans think that convicted felons should be allowed to vote again after the justice system is done with them. But even among proponents, there’s less consensus about what a program to restore voting rights should look like.    . Want more?  Hawaii Democrat Resigns In Response To Sexual Harassment Claims He Still Denies Senator Tells Ben Carson To Stop Blaming Wife For Expensive Furniture Spending Bill Would Prevent Employers From Pocketing Workers’ Tips     How will Trump’s administration impact you? Sign up for our email and find out. Did a friend send you this? Subscribe here. Like what you see? Share it. Want more? Here are two other newsletters you'll love: The Morning Email and Must Reads. ©2018 HuffPost | 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates from HuffPost Feedback | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe    . - - Preferences  |  Unsubscribe