Trump loses chief lawyer a week before trial, sources say

WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump divorced his chief prosecutor just over a week before his trial, two people who know the situation said on Saturday. The change brings fresh uncertainty into the composition and strategy of his defense team.

Butch Bowers and Deborah Barbier, both attorneys in South Carolina, left the defense team in what one person described as a “mutual decision” reflecting a disagreement over the direction of the case.

The two people familiar with the legal team’s discussions insisted on anonymity to discuss private conversations. One said new additions to the legal team are expected to be announced in a day or two.

Bowers and Barbier did not immediately return messages for comment.

Trump will stand trial on week Feb. 8 on charges of inciting riots inside the U.S. Capitol. Republicans and Trump aides have made it clear they intend to make a simple argument: the trial is unconstitutional because Trump is no longer in office.

CNN was the first to report the departure of the lawyers.