US President
Donald Trump's lead lawyer for the special counsel investigation into
Russia interference in the 2016 election has resigned,
US media report.
John Dowd is reported to have concluded that Mr Trump was increasingly ignoring his advice.
Other reports say Mr Trump had lost confidence in Mr Dowd's ability to handle special counsel
Robert Mueller.
In an email to The Washington Post, Mr Dowd wrote: "I love the president and wish him well."
The special counsel is investigating possible links between Mr Trump's associates and Russia, as well as whether the president has obstructed the inquiry.
Last week, Mr Dowd called on the Department of Justice to immediately shut down Mr Mueller's investigation - initially saying that he was speaking for the president.
But he later clarified that he was speaking for himself and not on Mr Trump's behalf.
To testify or not?Mr Dowd took over the president's legal team last summer.
Under his leadership, Mr Trump's team of lawyers advised the president to co-operate with the special counsel.
Mr Trump has recently begun publicly criticising Mr Mueller by name, rather than just his inquiry.
He has also reportedly insisted he wants to be interviewed by the inquiry, a step Mr Dowd is said to oppose.
Last week Mr Trump added combative former US attorney Joe diGenova, a regular pundit on Fox News, to his legal team.