WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers. Trump supporters gathered in the nation's capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election.
Trump’s top impeachment lawyers leave team days before trial
Two of his lead impeachment lawyers have parted ways with Trump, a source familiar with the matter told NPR.
By Emma Bowman/NPR
Jon Cherry / Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers. Trump supporters gathered in the nation's capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election.
(Washington) –With just over a week before his second impeachment trial begins, former President Donald Trump’s legal defense team is in flux after at least two key departures.
Two of his lead impeachment lawyers, Butch Bowers and Deborah Barbier, have parted ways with Trump, a source familiar with the matter told NPR. The South Carolina-based lawyers’ departure was a “mutual decision,” the person said, but no explanation was given.
The Associated Press reports that two former federal prosecutors from South Carolina, Greg Harris and Johnny Gasser, have also left the team. CNN says North Carolina lawyer Josh Howard is out too, meaning all five members of Trump’s legal team have left. NPR has not independently confirmed these reports.
Evan Vucci / AP Photo
President Donald Trump speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as President, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.
“We have done much work, but have not made a final decision on our legal team, which will be made shortly,” Trump adviser Jason Miller said on Saturday night, just nine days after tweeting that Bowers joined the team. At that time, Miller said Bowers, a pick recommended by Sen. Lindsey Graham, “will do an excellent job defending President Trump.”
Defense team or no, a Trump impeachment conviction is unlikely, considering that last week an overwhelming majority of Republican senators voted to dismiss his trialaltogether.
The trial, over Trump’s role in the Capitol attack this month, is set for Feb. 9.
The former president has until this Tuesday, Feb. 2, to respond to the article of impeachment passed by the House charging him with “incitement of insurrection.” House impeachment managers have the same deadline to file a pretrial brief, with the former president’s pretrial brief due a day before the trial.
NPR’s Domenico Montanaro contributed to this report.