Lieberman withdraws from FBI director search, cites potential conflict with Kasowitz hire
Former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman
Joseph Lieberman has withdrawn his name from consideration for FBI director because of the potential conflict of interest caused by President Donald Trump’s hiring of another lawyer from his law firm.
Lieberman, a former U.S. senator from Connecticut, said in a letter to the president that he wanted to avoid any appearance of conflict, report the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.), the New York Times, NBC News and the Washington Post.
Lieberman is a senior counsel at Kasowitz Benson Torres & Friedman, the law firm founded by Marc Kasowitz.
Lieberman’s letter acknowledged that Trump has hired Kasowitz to represent him “in the various investigations that have begun.” The statement provides confirmation of previous reports that Kasowitz will be the lead lawyer representing Trump in the special counsel probe of Russian influence in the 2016 presidential election.
Trump is looking for a new director to replace James Comey, who he fired on May 9.
