According to an exclusive report from Yahoo's chief investigative reporter, lawyers from major law firms turned down requests to represent Trump in the Russian collusion investigation, in part, because he can't keep his goddamn mouth shut.
They also reportedly expressed concerned that Trump would never pay them.
Among them, sources said, were some of the most high-profile names in the legal profession, including Brendan Sullivan of Williams & Connolly; Ted Olson of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher; Paul Clement and Mark Filip of Kirkland & Ellis; and Robert Giuffra of Sullivan & Cromwell. [...]
“The concerns were, ‘The guy won’t pay and he won’t listen,’” said one lawyer close to the White House who is familiar with some of the discussions between the firms and the administration, as well as deliberations within the firms themselves. [...]
Another lawyer briefed on some of the discussions agreed that the firms were worried about the reputational risk of representing the president. One issue that arose, this lawyer said, was “Do I want to be associated with this president and his policies?” In addition, the lawyer said, there were concerns that if they took on the case, “Who’s in charge?” and “Would he listen?”
I'm not familiar with the others who reportedly turned down Trump's requests, but I am familiar with former solicitor general Paul Clement and I'm surprised he refused to represent Trump because he'll represent almost anything. Clement defended Arizona's "papers please" law at the Supreme Court. He argue against gay marriage at the Supreme Court. He tried to take down Obamacare at the Supreme Court. He fought Seattle's $15 minimum wage. Clement also represented North Carolina Republicans in their fight to uphold their gerrymandered districts.
Clement doesn't seem to have any moral boundaries, but I guess he probably does like to get paid and there's no guarantee Trump would pay him.
Clement lost every single one of the above mentioned cases so I suppose we should be disappointed that he's not representing Trump.
In related news, Trump might be tweeting on Thursday when former FBI director James Comey testifies.
I'm told by two WH sources that Pres. Trump does not plan to put down Twitter on Thursday. May live tweet if he feels the need to respond.
— Robert Costa (@costareports) June 6, 2017