Lieberman withdraws from consideration for FBI director

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) has withdrawn his name from consideration for FBI director, citing the “appearance of a conflict of interest.”

Lieberman currently works at the same law firm as Marc Kasowitz, the outside attorney President Trump is expected to retain to serve on a team of lawyers responding to the federal probe into possible ties between Trump’s campaign and Russia.

“I do believe it would be best to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest, given my role as senior counsel in the law firm of which Marc is the senior partner,” Lieberman wrote in the letter dated Wednesday to Trump, The Wall Street Journal reported.

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Lieberman, a former Democratic-turned-Independent senator, was previously thought to be Trump’s top choice for the FBI job. Lieberman thanked the president for his invitation to discuss “the possibility of being nominated” as FBI chief.

The White House didn’t immediately return the Journal’s request for comment about the letter.

Lieberman joins a list of other candidates who have withdrawn their names from consideration for the top FBI post, including Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and former Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher.

Trump fired FBI Director James Comey earlier this month amid the bureau’s ongoing investigation into possible collusion between Trump campaign aides and Russian officials, which raised questions about the timing and motive behind the dismissal.