U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has hired a lawyer to defend him in the ongoing Russia probe. In a statement by the Vice President's office on Thursday is was announced that the lawyer will assist Pence with investigations into whether there were relationships between Russia and the 2016 US election campaign.
According to Reuters, US intelligence agencies have come to the conclusion that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election campaign in an effort to influence the vote in favor of Trump.
President Trump angered
President Trump fumed on Thursday following a report that he was being investigated for possible obstruction of justice.
He also hired a team of lawyers early last month to defend him in the investigation by congressional committees and special counsel Bob Mueller over the Russia saga.
He described as "phony" the notion in some quarters that his campaign connived with any Russian move to influence last year’s election. Russia denies interfering in the campaign.
Pence's legal representative
Richard Cullen, Chairman of the McguireWoods law firm was hired by Vice President Pence to help him respond to questions from Robert Mueller’s panel, a spokesperson said.
Cullen, who is also a former prosecutor, has strong ties with former FBI boss James Comey, whom Trump fired last month over the handling of the Russia probe. Richard Cullen was a counsel to Sepp Blatter the former President of FIFA who was probed on corruption allegations by the world soccer’s governing body.
Cullen was a stunt supporter of Jeb Bush, who contested against Trump in the race for the Republican ticket. He also represented Rep. Tom Delay, a Republican from Texas and former House of Representatives leader over the investigation into corrupt Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Delay was not charged.
The man for the job
The Vice President had interviewed several candidates to take up the role over many weeks before making his choice this week, according to a statement by his office.
The statement by the Vice President’s spokesman Jarrod Agen said that Mike Pence is committed entirely to his duties and propagating President Trump’s policies and look forwards to a quick resolution of this issue.
Reuters reported that Vice President Pence has rarely addressed the Russia controversy, which has overwhelmed the administration’s moves to overhaul the health care system. It has also hampered efforts by the government to cut taxes and boost employment.
