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Article snippet: Interim White House communications director Hope Hicks has retained a personal lawyer amid the ongoing Russia investigation, Politico reports. Hicks has hired Robert Trout of the Trout Cacheris & Janis law firm, sources told the newspaper. Trout previously served at the Justice Department and as a former assistant U.S. attorney in Baltimore. The reported hire comes as special counsel Robert Mueller looks to question White House staff as part of the federal investigation into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. The Daily Beast reported Friday on effort to organize a legal defense fund for White House staffers to help cover legal bills associated with the special counsel probe. Mueller has expressed interest in interviewing six current and former White House aides, including Hicks, The Washington Post reported Friday. Mueller reportedly also has his sights set on former White House press secretary Sean Spicer and former chief of staff Reince Priebus, among others. The report indicates that Mueller is seeking to interview more individuals closer to the president. Politico reported Friday that no request has been made to interview the president himself. The Hill 1625 K Street, NW Suite 900 Washington DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 tel | 202-628-8503 fax The contents of this site are ©2017 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc. Link to the full article to read more