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Posted: 2017-07-21T01:58:20Z | Updated: 2017-07-21T11:03:19Z

WASHINGTON Lawyers for Donald Trump , spurred by the presidents own inquiries, are exploring his power to grant pardons to aides, family and himself as a means of undermining special counsel Robert Mueller s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, The Washington Post reports .

The Post, citing an unnamed source familiar with the queries, said the president himself had asked advisers about the constitutional power, although another source noted that Trump sought only to further his understanding of the privilege. Trumps lawyer John Dowd called the claims nonsense .

Trumps lawyers are also looking into Muellers potential conflicts of interests, perhaps as a way of removing him from the Justice Departments investigation, according to a Post article that cited several of Trumps legal advisers.

Also on Thursday, various outlets reported Trumps longtime personal attorney and lead counsel on the Russia investigation, Marc Kasowitz, would be stepping into a smaller role . Kasowitz made headlines last week after he threatened a stranger in a string of profane emails, saying things like watch your back, bitch, and Im on you.

Trump has reportedly been unhappy with some members of his legal team following a series of revelations involving his son Donald Trump Jr.

HuffPost has reached out to Kasowitz for comment.

Mark Corallo, the spokesman for Trumps team of personal lawyers, resigned Thursday, the Post and Times reported.

The New York Times also reported on the Trump teams inquiries, which it described as wide-ranging, including scrutinizing donations to Democratic candidates and looking into investigators former clients and Muellers relationship with former FBI Director James Comey.

Trump fired Comey in May while he was leading an investigation into whether Trumps campaign colluded with Russia. Trump later admitted he was thinking about the Russia investigation when he decided to dismiss the FBI director.

Among the potential conflicts of interest that Trumps lawyers are looking at is an alleged dispute over membership fees between Mueller and Trumps Virginia golf club, according to the Post.

Earlier Thursday, Bloomberg reported that Muellers team is examining transactions involving the presidents businesses and those of his associates, including Russian purchases of apartments in Trump buildings , Trumps involvement in a controversial SoHo development with Russian associates, the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow and Trumps sale of a Florida man sion to a Russian oligarch in 2008.

CBS News later confirmed the report, and the Wall Street Journal said the investigation includes potential money laundering by Paul Manafort , who was Trumps campaign manager during part of the 2016 presidential campaign.

Manafort is scheduled to testify before Congress on July 26, as will the presidents eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.

In a lengthy interview Wednesday in The New York Times, Trump said Mueller would be crossing a red line if he looked into the Trump familys finances beyond any ties with Russia.

Eric Holder, who was an attorney general in the Obama administration, tweeted Thursday night that there was no valid reason to question Muellers investigation:

There is NO basis to question the integrity of Mueller or those serving with him in the special counsel's office. And no conflicts either

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There is NO basis to question the integrity of Mueller or those serving with him in the special counsel's office. And no conflicts either

Eric Holder (@EricHolder) July 21, 2017

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Trump cannot define or constrain Mueller investigation. If he tries to do so this creates issues of constitutional and criminal dimension.

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Trump cannot define or constrain Mueller investigation. If he tries to do so this creates issues of constitutional and criminal dimension.

Eric Holder (@EricHolder) July 21, 2017

Support Free Journalism

Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

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