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| Trump dealt double blow as Manafort convicted on eight counts and Cohen pleads guilty – live | Trump dealt double blow as Manafort convicted on eight counts and Cohen pleads guilty – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| There has been a somewhat muted response from the US House speaker, Trump’s Republican colleague Paul Ryan: | |
| Paul Ryan spokesperson: “We are aware of Mr. Cohen’s guilty plea to these serious charges. We will need more information than is currently available at this point.” | |
| According to the Associated Press, Stormy Daniels’ lawyer, Michael Avenatti, says Michael Cohen’s guilty plea should open the door to questioning Donald Trump about “what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it”. | |
| Cohen has admitted Trump directed him to make payments that violated campaign finance laws in an effort to keep quiet two women who alleged sexual affairs with the billionaire. | |
| Both Daniels and Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model, have made such allegations, though they were not explicitly named in court. | |
| Daniels said she and Avenatti, felt vindicated and look forward to apologies “from the people who claimed we were wrong”. | |
| Avenatti is flirting with running for president in 2020 as a Democrat. He said the likelihood of that happening will dwindle if Trump resigns or decides not to run for re-election. | |
| The US Department of Justice has announced that the second member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump, Duncan Hunter, has been indicted on charges of using campaign funds for personal ends, along with his wife Margaret. | |
| Trump’s first congressional backer, Chris Collins, was indicted on insider trading charges about two weeks ago. | |
| Referring to the Hunters, the Department of Justice said: | |
| A 48-page indictment details scores of instances beginning in 2009 and continuing through 2016 in which the Hunters illegally used campaign money to pay for personal expenses that they could not otherwise afford. | |
| The purchases included family vacations to Italy, Hawaii, Phoenix, Arizona, and Boise, Idaho; school tuition; dental work; theatre tickets; and domestic and international travel for almost a dozen relatives. | |
| The Hunters also spent tens of thousands of dollars on smaller purchases, including fast food, movie tickets, golf outings, video games, coffee, groceries, home utilities, and expensive meals. | |
| They are scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday before US magistrate, Judge William Gallo. | |
| CNN’s chief White House correspondent has a little on how the Trump family is reacting to the day’s news at the president’s campaign rally in West Virginia: | CNN’s chief White House correspondent has a little on how the Trump family is reacting to the day’s news at the president’s campaign rally in West Virginia: |
| Lara Trump at Trump rally attacks Russia investigation saying it makes her angry: “it should make you angry too.” | Lara Trump at Trump rally attacks Russia investigation saying it makes her angry: “it should make you angry too.” |
| Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, says there is nothing in Cohen’s admissions that represent an allegation of wrongdoing against the president. | Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, says there is nothing in Cohen’s admissions that represent an allegation of wrongdoing against the president. |
| According to Reuters, Cohen’s lawyer, Lanny Davis, said his client testified under oath that Trump directed him to commit a crime. | According to Reuters, Cohen’s lawyer, Lanny Davis, said his client testified under oath that Trump directed him to commit a crime. |
| Today, he (Cohen) stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election. | Today, he (Cohen) stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election. |
| If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn’t they be a crime for Donald Trump? | If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn’t they be a crime for Donald Trump? |
| Davis said Cohen agreed to plead guilty “so that his family can move on to the next chapter”, Reuters reported. | Davis said Cohen agreed to plead guilty “so that his family can move on to the next chapter”, Reuters reported. |
| Cohen entered the courtroom on the 20th floor of the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan at 4:03pm and sat at a table with his attorneys. He turned and winked at someone in the crowd. He reviewed a series of documents and shook his head repeatedly as he looked them over. | Cohen entered the courtroom on the 20th floor of the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan at 4:03pm and sat at a table with his attorneys. He turned and winked at someone in the crowd. He reviewed a series of documents and shook his head repeatedly as he looked them over. |
| The judge, William Pawley, asked a series of questions to establish his competence. Asked his age, Cohen said: “in four days I’ll be 52.” Asked if he had any drugs or alcohol in the last 24 hours, said yes: “last night at dinner I had a glass of Glenlivet 12 on the rocks.” | The judge, William Pawley, asked a series of questions to establish his competence. Asked his age, Cohen said: “in four days I’ll be 52.” Asked if he had any drugs or alcohol in the last 24 hours, said yes: “last night at dinner I had a glass of Glenlivet 12 on the rocks.” |
| Asked if he wanted to enter a plea of guilty, Cohen said: “yes sir.” | Asked if he wanted to enter a plea of guilty, Cohen said: “yes sir.” |
| It was explained to Cohen that, if sentenced consecutively, he faced a total of up to 65 years and that any estimate of how much time he would get from his attorney might be inaccurate. Cohen said: “No estimate was given to me your Honor.” | It was explained to Cohen that, if sentenced consecutively, he faced a total of up to 65 years and that any estimate of how much time he would get from his attorney might be inaccurate. Cohen said: “No estimate was given to me your Honor.” |
| Cohen was asked to describe what he did with regard to each crime. On the first five counts, he said: “I evaded paying substantial taxes” on income he knew was omitted from his tax returns. | Cohen was asked to describe what he did with regard to each crime. On the first five counts, he said: “I evaded paying substantial taxes” on income he knew was omitted from his tax returns. |
| On count six, he said that, in order to get approved for a home equity line of credit, he signed an application that omitted some of his liabilities. | On count six, he said that, in order to get approved for a home equity line of credit, he signed an application that omitted some of his liabilities. |
| On count seven, the illegal corporate contribution, he said that, in the summer of 2016 – in coordination with and “at the request of” a candidate for federal office, in order “to keep an individual with information that would be harmful to the candidate and the campaign from publicly disclosing this information,” he arranged a payment through a media company of which he was the chief executive. | On count seven, the illegal corporate contribution, he said that, in the summer of 2016 – in coordination with and “at the request of” a candidate for federal office, in order “to keep an individual with information that would be harmful to the candidate and the campaign from publicly disclosing this information,” he arranged a payment through a media company of which he was the chief executive. |
| “She received compensation of $150,000.” This was done “for the principal purpose of influencing the election”. | |
| On count eight – the illegal excessive campaign contribution – he said that, in coordination with the candidate, he “arranged to make a payment to a second individual with information that would be harmful to the candidate and the campaign”. He said he used a company under his control and paid $130,000. These funds “were later repaid to me by the candidate”. | On count eight – the illegal excessive campaign contribution – he said that, in coordination with the candidate, he “arranged to make a payment to a second individual with information that would be harmful to the candidate and the campaign”. He said he used a company under his control and paid $130,000. These funds “were later repaid to me by the candidate”. |
| This was done “for the principal purpose of influencing the election”. | |
| Asked if he knew these actions were illegal and wrong when he took them, Cohen said: “Yes your Honor.” | Asked if he knew these actions were illegal and wrong when he took them, Cohen said: “Yes your Honor.” |
| The assistant US attorney, Andrea Griswold, reviewed what would have been the government’s case. | The assistant US attorney, Andrea Griswold, reviewed what would have been the government’s case. |
| On tax evasion, she said Cohen failed to report more than $4m (£3.1m) in income. | On tax evasion, she said Cohen failed to report more than $4m (£3.1m) in income. |
| On illegal contributions: “These payments were made in order to ensure that each recipient did not publicise their stories” about “alleged affairs with the candidate”. | On illegal contributions: “These payments were made in order to ensure that each recipient did not publicise their stories” about “alleged affairs with the candidate”. |
| She said the government had texts, phone and email records, and statements from the individuals involved as evidence. | She said the government had texts, phone and email records, and statements from the individuals involved as evidence. |
| Asked how he now pleaded, Cohen said: “Guilty, your Honor.” | Asked how he now pleaded, Cohen said: “Guilty, your Honor.” |
| He was released on a $500,000 personal recognisance bond to be signed by his wife and one other person. His travel was restricted to parts of the states of New York, New Jersey and Illinois, as well as the city of Washington DC. He agreed to surrender his passport. Sentencing was set for 12 December this year. | He was released on a $500,000 personal recognisance bond to be signed by his wife and one other person. His travel was restricted to parts of the states of New York, New Jersey and Illinois, as well as the city of Washington DC. He agreed to surrender his passport. Sentencing was set for 12 December this year. |
| After the hearing, Cohen left in a car with his attorneys as some bystanders shouted, “lock him up!” | After the hearing, Cohen left in a car with his attorneys as some bystanders shouted, “lock him up!” |
| Echoing the comments of his client somewhat, Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani claims the government’s charges against Michael Cohen contain “no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president”, Reuters reports. | Echoing the comments of his client somewhat, Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani claims the government’s charges against Michael Cohen contain “no allegation of any wrongdoing against the president”, Reuters reports. |
| Cohen has told a judge he acted at the direction of “the candidate”, acting for the “purpose of influencing the election”. | Cohen has told a judge he acted at the direction of “the candidate”, acting for the “purpose of influencing the election”. |
| Cohen is Trump’s former personal lawyer and the US president has previously said Cohen represented him in the “crazy Stormy Daniels deal”. | Cohen is Trump’s former personal lawyer and the US president has previously said Cohen represented him in the “crazy Stormy Daniels deal”. |
| Reuters reported that Giuliani said Cohen’s actions reflected a “pattern of lies and dishonesty” over a significant period of time. | Reuters reported that Giuliani said Cohen’s actions reflected a “pattern of lies and dishonesty” over a significant period of time. |
| Some more on the comments Trump made as he landed in West Virginia. He told reporters: “Paul Manafort’s a good man,” adding: “He was with Ronald Reagan, he was with a lot of people.” | Some more on the comments Trump made as he landed in West Virginia. He told reporters: “Paul Manafort’s a good man,” adding: “He was with Ronald Reagan, he was with a lot of people.” |
| The US president portrayed the Manafort prosecution, which grew out of an FBI investigation predating the 2016 campaign, as an unnatural outgrowth of the investigation being carried out by special counsel Robert Mueller. | The US president portrayed the Manafort prosecution, which grew out of an FBI investigation predating the 2016 campaign, as an unnatural outgrowth of the investigation being carried out by special counsel Robert Mueller. |
| “This has nothing to do with Russian collusion,” Trump said. “These are witch hunts and it’s a disgrace. This has nothing to do – it started out looking for Russians in our campaign and there were none.” | “This has nothing to do with Russian collusion,” Trump said. “These are witch hunts and it’s a disgrace. This has nothing to do – it started out looking for Russians in our campaign and there were none.” |
| Standing on the windswept airport tarmac, he continued: “This is the way it ends up. It was not the original mission, believe me. It had nothing to do with Russian collusion, we continue the witch hunt.” | Standing on the windswept airport tarmac, he continued: “This is the way it ends up. It was not the original mission, believe me. It had nothing to do with Russian collusion, we continue the witch hunt.” |
| He then walked off to the waiting car, ignoring shouts from reporters requesting comment on the Michael Cohen case. | He then walked off to the waiting car, ignoring shouts from reporters requesting comment on the Michael Cohen case. |
| Donald Trump just spoke to reporters outside of Air Force One after landing in Charleston, West Virginia. | Donald Trump just spoke to reporters outside of Air Force One after landing in Charleston, West Virginia. |
| He commented briefly on the Manafort guilty verdict, calling it “very sad” and noting that it had “ nothing to do” with Russian collusion. | He commented briefly on the Manafort guilty verdict, calling it “very sad” and noting that it had “ nothing to do” with Russian collusion. |
| “We continue the witch hunt,” he said. | “We continue the witch hunt,” he said. |
| He did not respond to questions about Cohen. | He did not respond to questions about Cohen. |
| Just landed in West Virginia. Big crowd, looking forward to seeing everyone soon! #MAGA | Just landed in West Virginia. Big crowd, looking forward to seeing everyone soon! #MAGA |
| The Guardian’s Erin Durkin has updates from the federal court in Manhattan. | The Guardian’s Erin Durkin has updates from the federal court in Manhattan. |
| Cohen stood and plead guilty to charges, including that in October 2016, he, in coordination with “the candidate” arranged to make a payment to an “individual with information that would be harmful to the candidate and to the campaign.” | Cohen stood and plead guilty to charges, including that in October 2016, he, in coordination with “the candidate” arranged to make a payment to an “individual with information that would be harmful to the candidate and to the campaign.” |
| Cohen said he used a company that was under his control to make the payment of $130,000 and those monies were later repaid to me by the candidate and that this was done “for the principal purpose of influencing the election.” | Cohen said he used a company that was under his control to make the payment of $130,000 and those monies were later repaid to me by the candidate and that this was done “for the principal purpose of influencing the election.” |
| US attorney Robert Khuzami just addressed the press outside the New York courtroom where Cohen pleaded guilty. | US attorney Robert Khuzami just addressed the press outside the New York courtroom where Cohen pleaded guilty. |
| Khuzami spoke extensively about one of the most shocking charges, which stems from a payment Cohen made to silence two women “that he believed would be detrimental” to a candidate in the 2016 presidential election. Khuzami said Cohen sought reimbursement for paying off the two woman by submitting invoices to the candidate’s company that were “untrue and false”. | Khuzami spoke extensively about one of the most shocking charges, which stems from a payment Cohen made to silence two women “that he believed would be detrimental” to a candidate in the 2016 presidential election. Khuzami said Cohen sought reimbursement for paying off the two woman by submitting invoices to the candidate’s company that were “untrue and false”. |
| Khuzami ignored shouted questions from reporters asking who the candidate he referred to is. | Khuzami ignored shouted questions from reporters asking who the candidate he referred to is. |
| Cohen is Trump’s former personal lawyer. | Cohen is Trump’s former personal lawyer. |
| And Trump in April said Cohen represented him in the “crazy Stormy Daniels deal”. | And Trump in April said Cohen represented him in the “crazy Stormy Daniels deal”. |
| Paul Manafort stood stonefaced as he was found guilty on eight counts of filing false tax returns and bank fraud. | Paul Manafort stood stonefaced as he was found guilty on eight counts of filing false tax returns and bank fraud. |
| The jury deadlocked on the other ten counts of fraud that Manafort had been charged with. | The jury deadlocked on the other ten counts of fraud that Manafort had been charged with. |
| The only visible emotion that Manafort, the former Trump campaign manager, displayed was when he winked at his wife Kathleen upon leaving the courtroom. | The only visible emotion that Manafort, the former Trump campaign manager, displayed was when he winked at his wife Kathleen upon leaving the courtroom. |
| After the sentencing, federal judge TS Ellis III praised attorneys both for the government and for Manafort for their “effective and zealous representations.” | After the sentencing, federal judge TS Ellis III praised attorneys both for the government and for Manafort for their “effective and zealous representations.” |
| This is only part of the scene outside the courthouse in Alexandria after the Manafort verdict. pic.twitter.com/V1FWqfgNsC | This is only part of the scene outside the courthouse in Alexandria after the Manafort verdict. pic.twitter.com/V1FWqfgNsC |