The Latest: Abbe Lowell joins Jared Kushner's legal team
By Associated Press
Jun 26, 2017 5:27 PM CDT
FILE - In this June 23, 2017 file photo, President Donald Trump speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington. President Donald Trump unleashed a series of tweets Monday, June 26, 2017, in which he tried to place the blame for Russian meddling in U.S. politics on and deflect charges of obstruction...   (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the investigations into potential coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia (all times EDT):

6:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump's son-in-law is turning to a prominent defense lawyer, Abbe Lowell, to represent him in Russia-related investigations.

Jared Kushner's lawyer, Jamie Gorelick, says that Lowell has been added to the team representing Kushner.

Gorelick's law firm, WilmerHale, is involved in the Russia investigation in multiple ways. Former FBI Director Robert Mueller left the firm last month to serve as special counsel overseeing an investigation into possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia. He took several partners with him.

The firm also represents ex-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

Lowell is one of the country's most prominent trial lawyers. He won the acquittal of former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards in a campaign finance prosecution. He currently represents New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez on bribery charges.

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5:20 p.m.

A former foreign policy adviser to President Donald Trump's campaign has acknowledged being interviewed by the FBI several months ago.

Carter Page confirmed in a text message to The Associated Press on Monday that he had "extensive discussions" with agents during several interviews in March concerning the investigation into possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia.

He says the FBI acknowledged he is "a loyal American veteran" but FBI "management" was concerned he did not believe the conclusions of a January intelligence report that blamed Russia for interfering in the presidential election.

The Washington Post first reported the interviews. An FBI spokesman didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.

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4:45 p.m.

President Donald Trump is using Twitter to place the blame for Russian meddling in U.S. politics on his predecessor. He's also deflecting charges of obstruction and collusion onto former President Barack Obama.

Trump writes Monday that Obama did "NOTHING about Russia after being notified by the CIA of meddling" because "he expected Clinton would win."

Trump appears to be trying to redefine what it means to collude or obstruct as he pushes back against an investigation into interactions that members of Trump's team may have had with Russian officials during the campaign and transition.

The president appears to be referencing a Washington Post story about the Obama administration's handling of Russia's attempts to influence voters.