A prominent attorney who once served on Donald Trump’s legal team during his first term is now publicly raising conce:rns about the president’s mental fitness, marking a sharp break from his former role.

Ty Cobb, who helped lead Trump’s legal response to Robert Mueller’s investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, has recently warned that the president’s behavior is increasingly troubling, even describing him as unstable.

Cobb, who worked closely on coordinating Trump’s defense during the investigation, previously defended his involvement as part of his professional duty. However, ahead of the 2020 election, he had already expressed concern, suggesting that another term under the MAGA movement could have serious consequences.

In a recent interview with iPaper, Cobb went further, stating that Trump’s “mental condition has declined significantly” in his current term. Trump has pushed back against such claims, insisting that he has performed well on multiple cognitive assessments.

“I took three cognitive tests. I aced all of them,” Trump said recently, adding, “I don’t think Obama could pass it.”

Observers online quickly reacted, noting that boasting about passing basic cognitive screenings can raise as many questions as it answers.

Cobb also argued that the situation may be worsened by the type of advisers surrounding the president. According to him, Trump is increasingly relying on a circle of loyal supporters who rarely challenge him, which he believes has made the current environment more concerning.

Reflecting on Trump’s behavior, Cobb pointed to recent public remarks and controversies, suggesting they differ noticeably from how the president conducted himself earlier in his time in office.

“While I’m not in a position to diagnose anything,” Cobb said, “the contrast with even a few years ago is clear. He was unpredictable before, but now there seems to be less restraint around him.”

He further suggested that the advisory structure around the president has shifted, describing it as more deferential than corrective. In his view, some officials may hesitate to challenge decisions or provide critical feedback.

Cobb concluded by warning that such dynamics could pose risks, emphasizing the importance of open and honest counsel in positions of power, especially when decisions have wide-reaching consequences both domestically and internationally.