Former New York mayor Giuliani joins Trump’s legal team

Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow made the announcement on Thursday and said Giuliani would be accompanied by former federal prosecutors Jane Serene Raskin and Marty Raskin.

“Rudy is great. He has been my friend for a long time and wants to get this matter quickly resolved for the good of the country,” Trump said in a statement provided by Sekulow.

Giuliani has joined Trump’s legal team which has been dealing with the federal investigation into the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.

“It is an honor to be a part of such an important legal team, and I look forward to not only working with the president but with Jay, Ty, and their colleagues,” said Giuliani, who presided over New York City from 1994 to 2001.

Trump’s legal team has been weakened since the departure of lead attorney John Dowd last month. Giuliani’s inclusion will bolster it.

“I’m doing it because I hope we can negotiate an end to this for the good of the country and because I have high regard for the president and for Bob Mueller,” Giuliani told The Washington Post on Thursday.

US Special Counsel Robert Mueller, a former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is investigating possible collusion between Russia and Trump’s campaign during the 2016 presidential election.

Trump is reportedly under investigation by Mueller but not as a criminal target, which means currently there is not enough evidence to bring criminal charges against the president.

Trump has repeatedly denied allegations that his campaign colluded with Russians and has condemned the investigations. Russia has also denied the allegations. Trump has also labeled Mueller’s investigation as a “witch hunt,” and has suggested that Russians might have meddled in favor of Hillary Clinton, his Democratic rival in the 2016 election.