Less than a month after joining the legal team defending Donald Trump’s alleged possession of classified documents, Chris Kise is taking a back seat, CNN reports, citing two sources familiar with the move. Kise, a former Florida solicitor general, had been viewed as a high-prized catch for Trump’s defense team thanks to his deep understanding of Florida law, and his potential ability to drudge up tide-turning details on political foes. In fact, Trump’s outside spending arm paid Kise a $3 million retainer up front. CNN reports that the reason for Kise’s changing role is unclear. He’s reportedly not heavily involved in Trump’s defense to the feds’ Jan. 6 probe either. Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich denied CNN’s report, saying Kise’s role “as an important member of President Trump’s legal team remains unchanged, and any suggestion otherwise is untrue.” Kise also issued a brief statement to The Washington Post, saying: “To borrow from Mark Twain, the report of my death is an exaggeration.”
