WASHINGTON - Former Republican congressman Trey Gowdy will assist the White House in its impeachment defense, one of President Donald Trump's attorneys said Wednesday.

"His legal skills and his advocacy will serve the President well," attorney Jay Sekulow said. "Trey's command of the law is well known and his service on Capitol Hill will be a great asset as a member of our team."

Gowdy will work with Trump's private legal team, which includes Sekulow.

A member of Congress from South Carolina for eight years, Gowdy decided not to seek re-election in 2018. He comes aboard at a key time in the House impeachment investigation; the White House has said it will not comply with Democratic subpoenas because, Trump has said, the process is unfair.

House Democrats are looking into whether Trump abused his power by asking the president of Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden at the same time the White House was withholding aid to Kiev.

Gowdy is perhaps best known for chairing hearings into the Barack Obama administration's handling of terrorist attacks in Benghazi, Libya. His new title will be "counsel to the president."

Gowdy, who was spotted at the White House on Tuesday, is expected to make many television appearances on Trump's behalf.

On Tuesday, White House Counsel Pat Cipollone sent a letter advising House Democrats that the administration would not cooperate with the impeachment inquiry because it considers the probe to be "illegitimate."

"You have designed and implemented your inquiry in a manner that violates fundamental fairness and constitutionally mandated due process," Cipollone said in the letter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump retains Benghazi investigator Trey Gowdy amid impeachment probe
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