Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is ready to join President Trump's legal team and "negotiate an end" to the ongoing and contentious saga involving the president and special counsel Robert Mueller, according to multiple reports Thursday evening.
While "America's mayor" has been discussing the move with the Trump administration for a while, the Daily Beast reported, the negotiations stalled when the White House was dealing with issues concerning North Korea and Syria.
However, Giuliani told the Washington Post on Thursday that he will join the president's legal team.
"I'm doing it because I hope we can negotiate an end to this for the good of the country and because I have high regard for the president and for Bob Mueller," Giuliani said.
He told the Post that Mueller should be allowed to finish his investigation.
"My advice on Mueller has been this: He should be allowed to do his job, he's entitled to do his job," he said.
President Trump's lawyer, Jay Sekulow, released the following statement Thursday: "The president said, 'Rudy is great. He has been my friend for a long time and wants to get this matter quickly resolved for the good of the country.'"
Sekulow added: "I have had the privilege of working with Mayor Giuliani for many years, and we welcome his expertise. Mayor Giuliani expressed his deep appreciation to the president for allowing him to assist in this important matter. In a statement, Mayor Giuliani said, 'It is an honor to be a part of such an important legal team, and I look forward to not only working with the president but with Jay, Ty, and their colleagues.'"
"I have had the privilege of working with Mayor Giuliani for many years, and we welcome his expertise," Sekulow added. "Mayor Giuliani expressed his deep appreciation to the President for allowing him to assist in this important matter. In a statement, Mayor Giuliani said, ‘It is an honor to be a part of such an important legal team, and I look forward to not only working with the President but with Jay, Ty, and their colleagues.’"
Giuliani has been considered for several positions in the Trump administration, such as attorney general, and he was one of the first high-profile figures to endorse Trump for the White House during the 2016 campaign. He campaigned with Trump and gave a major speech in support of him at the Republican National Convention.
Before he served as the mayor of New York City, Giuliani was the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Since Mueller's probe was launched, Giuliani has spoken very infrequently about the investigation.