Vice President Mike Pence has hired his own lawyer to represent him in the special counsel investigation and congressional inquiries into Russia’s role in the 2016 election.
The Washington Post was first to report the news.
A spokesman for Pence confirmed Cullen’s hiring in an emailed statement, adding that the lawyer will assist Pence “in responding to inquiries by the special counsel.”
“The Vice President is focused entirely on his duties and promoting the President’s agenda and looks forward to a swift conclusion of this matter,” concluded the statement.
Cullen is no stranger to high-profile federal investigations: He served as special counsel to former Sen. Paul Trible, R-Va., during the Iran-Contra investigation, worked for former Rep. Caldwell Butler, R-Va., during the Watergate investigation, was lead counsel to former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay during the investigation into his ties with lobbyist Jack Abramoff and was on President George W. Bush’s legal team during the Florida recount in the 2000 presidential election.
Cullen also served as the Attorney General of Virginia and as a U.S. attorney under President George H. W. Bush. He is currently the chairman and a senior litigation partner at law firm McGuireWoods LLP in Richmond, Virginia.
U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Moscow interfered in last year’s presidential campaign to try to tilt the vote in Trump’s favor.
In May, President Donald Trump hired lawyer Marc Kasowitz, who, last year, represented the Trump campaign, and previously represented Trump personally, to serve as his attorney for investigation-related issues.
Cullen represents former FIFA President Sepp Blatter in the corruption probe into world soccer’s governing body. He represented Tom DeLay, a Texas Republican and former majority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, during the investigation into corrupt Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff. DeLay was not charged.