Trump aides clarify Giuliani is no longer his attorney — but still 'an ally and a friend'

On Tuesday, The Washington Postreported that former President Donald Trump's legal team has confirmed Rudy Giuliani is no longer acting as Trump's attorney.

"Mayor Giuliani is not currently representing President Trump is (sic) any legal matters," said Trump spokesman Jason Miller in a statement — although he later added in a tweet that the former New York City mayor "remains an ally and a friend."

The extent of Giuliani's legal services to Trump is unclear; in 2019, Trump said he didn't know whether Giuliani was still his lawyer. However, Giuliani did argue one of the president's unsuccessful cases to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Pennsylvania, where he flubbed basic legal concepts in the middle of the courtroom.

Trump subsequently instructed his aides not to pay Giuliani's legal fees for that effort.

On Tuesday, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) moved forward with a novel lawsuit accusing both Trump and Giuliani of conspiring to violate the 1871 Ku Klux Klan Act by inciting the mob at the U.S. Capitol.