Marc Kasowitz, President Donald Trump’s long-time personal attorney, is stepping away from representing the president as the White house grapples with the Russia inquiry.

The announcement came on Thursday, and was not accompanied by an explanation, though news of a profanity-laced rant from Kasowitz might have something to do with it. Kasowitz sent a retired communications specialist an unhinged tirade after the man recommended that he retire in an e-mail. “And you don’t know me, but I will know you. How dare you send me an email like that. I’m on you now. You are f****** with me now. Let’s see who you are. Watch your back, b****,” he wrote.

Kasowitz faced other potential difficulties in handling the Russia inquiry, including possible obstacles to obtaining a security clearance due to a history of alcoholism. As he departs the president’s legal team, the group is said to be preparing a campaign to discredit Robert Mueller, the Justice Department special counsel for the Russia investigation.

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