Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump's lead lawyer, John Dowd, has resigned from the President's personal legal team handling the response to the Russia investigation. His departure raises questions about the direction of Trump's legal strategy and could signal a more aggressive posture on Trump's part. Two sources familiar with the matter said Trump had encouraged Dowd to speak out. But the statement only drew unwanted headlines and stoked turmoil within the President's legal team, according to multiple sources. Jay Sekulow, one of Trump's private attorneys, called Dowd a "friend" and said he "has been a valuable member of our legal team."

Source: CNN March 22, 2018 15:33 UTC