Donald Trump's personal lawyer quits top role as administration faces fresh setback over Russia probe

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with members of the airline industry at the White House February 9, 2017 in Washington, DC. Trump held a listening session with the group to advance issues relative to the airline industry: Win McNamee/Getty Images
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with members of the airline industry at the White House February 9, 2017 in Washington, DC. Trump held a listening session with the group to advance issues relative to the airline industry: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Donald Trump’s administration has been hit with another high-profile resignation, as his personal lawyer Marc Kasowitz is reported to have quit the lead role defending the President from allegations of links to Russia.

Mr Kasowitzs' move came as part of a reshuffle that included the spokesman for the legal team, Mark Corallo, quitting after just two months in his role.

Mr Corallo is said to have left his post over disagreements with the way Mr Trump’s legal team was handling the Russia probe, led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Mr Corallo, a key representative for the team Mr Trump has appointed to defend him against the Russia investigation, was also said to be close to the Justice Department’s Mr Mueller and has praised him publicly in the past.

Politico reports Mr Corallo had grown weary of the infighting and divisions which had emerged between the White House and the legal team, citing a source who said Mr Corallo complained about “too much fighting all the time”.

And The New York Times claimed his departure was also motivated by frustration over efforts to undermine the investigation.

Mr Corallo, a former spokesman for the Justice Department, had been commenting on behalf of Mr Kasowitz.

Mr Kasowitz, who has represented the billionaire since 2000, including leading his defence in the Trump University fraud case, is reported to have resigned, though it is unclear at this stage whether he has been handed a lesser role or left Mr Trump's employ entirely.

From Mr Trump’s remaining legal team - attorney John Dowd, Jay Sekulow and attorney Ty Cobb – Mr Cobb will now take the lead.

Mr Corallo has yet to formally comment, but his resignation comes amid weeks of simmering tensions between the President and his legal team.

The commander-in-chief is said to be displeased with his legal team who he views as not doing enough to bat back allegations linked to the Russia probe.

Mr Trump has previously vented his frustrations over a failure to quash the federal investigation into links with Russia and their involvement in the presidential election.

He has previously taken to Twitter to dismiss the claims and investigation as a “witch hunt”.