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| Michael Cohen sought to 'criminally influence' US election, prosecutors say – live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Here is the president’s tweet shortly after the release of sentencing memos for his former personal attorney: | |
| Totally clears the President. Thank you! | |
| The memos do not “clear” the president. On the contrary, prosecutors in New York wrote of Michael Cohen’s “illegal campaign contributions”: | |
| With respect to both payments, Cohen acted with the intent to influence the 2016 presidential election. Cohen coordinated his actions with one or more members of the campaign, including through meetings and phone calls, about the fact, nature, and timing of the payments... In particular, and as Cohen himself has now admitted, with respect to both payments, he acted in coordination with and at the direction of Individual-1 [Trump]. | |
| This is new. Federal prosecutors have said for the first time in a court filing that Cohen committed campaign finance crimes "in coordination with and at the direction of" President Trump. pic.twitter.com/mOYvdMqHS7 | |
| Trump is now tweeting about James Comey – and has not yet commented on the newly released sentencing memos about his former personal attorney. Comey was on Capitol Hill today to privately testify before the House judiciary and oversight committees. | |
| It is being reported that Leakin' James Comey was told by Department of Justice attorneys not to answer the most important questions. Total bias and corruption at the highest levels of previous Administration. Force him to answer the questions under oath! | |
| Officials are expected to release a transcript of the session. Comey told reporters after the session that he is going to return for a follow-up: | |
| "After a full day of questioning, two things are clear to me. One, we could have done this in open setting, and two, when you read the transcript you will see that we're talking again about Hillary Clinton's e-mails for heaven's sakes," says ex-FBI director @Comey on Capitol Hill pic.twitter.com/uN5ZAHFOIT | |
| The fired FBI director said: | |
| When you read the transcript, you will see that we were talking again about Hillary Clinton’s emails for heaven’s sakes, so I’m not sure we need to do this at all. But I’m trying to respect the institution and answer questions in a respectful way. | |
| One critical detail from the latest Mueller filing is the claim that in November 2015, Cohen spoke with a Russian national “who claimed to be a ‘trusted person’ in the Russian Federation” and offered the Trump campaign “political synergy” and “synergy on a government level”. | |
| Mueller filing says a Russian national claiming to be a "trusted person" in the Russian Federation contacted Cohen in Nov. 2015 offering the Trump campaign "political synergy" and "synergy on a government level" pic.twitter.com/2ZV8FAPMlw | |
| From my colleague Jon Swaine: | |
| The Russian repeatedly proposed a meeting between Trump and Putin, according to Mueller, and told Cohen that the meeting “could have a ‘phenomenal’ impact ‘not only in political but in a business dimension as well’” because there was “no bigger warranty in any project than consent of Putin”. | |
| Mueller said Cohen chose not to pursue the offer of assistance in part because he was working on the project with someone else he “understood to have his own connections to the Russian government”, a likely reference to Felix Sater, a controversial developer who was working on the Trump Tower Moscow plans. | |
| Some key quotes from the Cohen sentencing memo, filed by federal prosecutors in New York: | Some key quotes from the Cohen sentencing memo, filed by federal prosecutors in New York: |
| “But the crimes committed by Cohen were more serious than his submission allows and were marked by a pattern of deception that permeated his professional life (and was evidently hidden from the friends and family members who wrote on his behalf).” | “But the crimes committed by Cohen were more serious than his submission allows and were marked by a pattern of deception that permeated his professional life (and was evidently hidden from the friends and family members who wrote on his behalf).” |
| “He was motivated ... by personal greed, and repeatedly used his power and influence for deceptive ends. Now he seeks extraordinary leniency – a sentence of no jail time – based principally on his rose-colored view of the seriousness of the crimes; his claims to a sympathetic personal history; and his provision of certain information to law enforcement.” | “He was motivated ... by personal greed, and repeatedly used his power and influence for deceptive ends. Now he seeks extraordinary leniency – a sentence of no jail time – based principally on his rose-colored view of the seriousness of the crimes; his claims to a sympathetic personal history; and his provision of certain information to law enforcement.” |
| “While Cohen – as his own submission makes clear – already enjoyed a privileged life, his desire for even greater wealth and influence precipitated an extensive course of criminal conduct.” | “While Cohen – as his own submission makes clear – already enjoyed a privileged life, his desire for even greater wealth and influence precipitated an extensive course of criminal conduct.” |
| “While many Americans who desired a particular outcome to the election knocked on doors, toiled at phone banks, or found any number of other legal ways to make their voices heard, Cohen sought to influence the election from the shadows. He did so by orchestrating secret and illegal payments to silence two women who otherwise would have made public their alleged extramarital affairs with Individual-1 [Trump].” | “While many Americans who desired a particular outcome to the election knocked on doors, toiled at phone banks, or found any number of other legal ways to make their voices heard, Cohen sought to influence the election from the shadows. He did so by orchestrating secret and illegal payments to silence two women who otherwise would have made public their alleged extramarital affairs with Individual-1 [Trump].” |
| “Cohen clouded a process that Congress has painstakingly sought to keep transparent. The sentence imposed should reflect the seriousness of Cohen’s brazen violations of the election laws and attempt to counter the public cynicism that may arise when individuals like Cohen act as if the political process belongs to the rich and powerful.” | “Cohen clouded a process that Congress has painstakingly sought to keep transparent. The sentence imposed should reflect the seriousness of Cohen’s brazen violations of the election laws and attempt to counter the public cynicism that may arise when individuals like Cohen act as if the political process belongs to the rich and powerful.” |
| “Cohen’s submission suggests that this was but a brief error in judgment. Not so. Cohen knew exactly where the line was, and he chose deliberately and repeatedly to cross it.” | “Cohen’s submission suggests that this was but a brief error in judgment. Not so. Cohen knew exactly where the line was, and he chose deliberately and repeatedly to cross it.” |
| “After cheating the IRS for years, lying to banks and to Congress, and seeking to criminally influence the Presidential election, Cohen’s decision to plead guilty – rather than seek a pardon for his manifold crimes – does not make him a hero.” | “After cheating the IRS for years, lying to banks and to Congress, and seeking to criminally influence the Presidential election, Cohen’s decision to plead guilty – rather than seek a pardon for his manifold crimes – does not make him a hero.” |
| More details here: | More details here: |
| Michael Cohen deserves substantial prison time, prosecutors say | Michael Cohen deserves substantial prison time, prosecutors say |
| A jury has just found James Fields guilty of first-degree murder for intentionally driving his car into a crowd at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, killing Heather Heyer and injuring others: | A jury has just found James Fields guilty of first-degree murder for intentionally driving his car into a crowd at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, killing Heather Heyer and injuring others: |
| Charlottesville: James Fields guilty of murder for driving car into crowd | Charlottesville: James Fields guilty of murder for driving car into crowd |
| Sam Levin here, taking over our live coverage on this busy Friday evening. The special counsel’s office has now released its memo on Cohen’s sentencing, which says: | Sam Levin here, taking over our live coverage on this busy Friday evening. The special counsel’s office has now released its memo on Cohen’s sentencing, which says: |
| The defendant’s crime was serious, both in terms of the underlying conduct and its effect on multiple government investigations. The sentence imposed should reflect the fact that lying to federal investigators has real consequences, especially where the defendant lied to investigators about critical facts, in an investigation of national importance. | The defendant’s crime was serious, both in terms of the underlying conduct and its effect on multiple government investigations. The sentence imposed should reflect the fact that lying to federal investigators has real consequences, especially where the defendant lied to investigators about critical facts, in an investigation of national importance. |
| The memo also says Cohen “has made substantial and significant efforts to remediate his misconduct, accept responsibility for his actions, and assist the SCO’s investigation”. | The memo also says Cohen “has made substantial and significant efforts to remediate his misconduct, accept responsibility for his actions, and assist the SCO’s investigation”. |
| The filing says the government “does not take a position with respect to a particular sentence to be imposed”. | The filing says the government “does not take a position with respect to a particular sentence to be imposed”. |
| They don’t call it a Friday news dump for nothing... luckily, I’m handing over the keys to my fantastic colleague Sam Levin. | They don’t call it a Friday news dump for nothing... luckily, I’m handing over the keys to my fantastic colleague Sam Levin. |
| He’ll break down the latest with Michael Cohen and what more to expect from the special counsel (Paul Manafort, call your office). Cheers from Sabrina! | He’ll break down the latest with Michael Cohen and what more to expect from the special counsel (Paul Manafort, call your office). Cheers from Sabrina! |
| Federal prosecutors have filed their sentencing memo for Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, and recommended a “substantial term of imprisonment”. | Federal prosecutors have filed their sentencing memo for Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, and recommended a “substantial term of imprisonment”. |
| The guidelines from the southern district of New York call for a prison term of between 46 and 63 months for Cohen, who has been cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller. | The guidelines from the southern district of New York call for a prison term of between 46 and 63 months for Cohen, who has been cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller. |
| Cohen pleaded guilty in August to eight charges, including allegations that he violated campaign finance laws and unrelated charges of bank and tax fraud. | Cohen pleaded guilty in August to eight charges, including allegations that he violated campaign finance laws and unrelated charges of bank and tax fraud. |
| This is a developing story. More soon. | This is a developing story. More soon. |
| Michael Cohen deserves substantial prison time, prosecutors say | Michael Cohen deserves substantial prison time, prosecutors say |
| Anyone know the opposite of ‘drain the swamp’? Asking for a friend. | Anyone know the opposite of ‘drain the swamp’? Asking for a friend. |
| Wild: Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) gets a head start to the revolving door, informing the House Ethics cmte she’s starting a lobbying firm—already registered as LJ Strategies LLC—even though she’s still a member of Congress facing votes on major bills https://t.co/VeYoWJrDoz | Wild: Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) gets a head start to the revolving door, informing the House Ethics cmte she’s starting a lobbying firm—already registered as LJ Strategies LLC—even though she’s still a member of Congress facing votes on major bills https://t.co/VeYoWJrDoz |
| Back to the ... 19th century? | Back to the ... 19th century? |
| Donald Trump’s secretary of veterans affairs, Robert Wilkie, once praised Confederate president Jefferson Davis as a “martyr to ‘The Lost Cause’”. | Donald Trump’s secretary of veterans affairs, Robert Wilkie, once praised Confederate president Jefferson Davis as a “martyr to ‘The Lost Cause’”. |
| In a 1995 speech, uncovered by CNN, Wilkie paid tribute to Davis as an “exceptional man in an exceptional age”. He delivered his remarks in front of a statue of Davis at the US Capitol, because of course he did. The event was naturally sponsored by the United Daughters of Confederacy. | In a 1995 speech, uncovered by CNN, Wilkie paid tribute to Davis as an “exceptional man in an exceptional age”. He delivered his remarks in front of a statue of Davis at the US Capitol, because of course he did. The event was naturally sponsored by the United Daughters of Confederacy. |
| Wait, there’s more: | Wait, there’s more: |
| CNN also found that Wilkie attended a pro-Confederate event as recently as 2009. | CNN also found that Wilkie attended a pro-Confederate event as recently as 2009. |
| A VA spokesman said the events Wilkie attended “were strictly historical in nature” and that he “stopped participating in them once the issue became divisive”. | A VA spokesman said the events Wilkie attended “were strictly historical in nature” and that he “stopped participating in them once the issue became divisive”. |
| Wilkie has led the department of veterans affairs since July. His affinity for Confederate events was highlighted when his nomination was before the Senate, but Wilkie was nonetheless confirmed 86-9. | Wilkie has led the department of veterans affairs since July. His affinity for Confederate events was highlighted when his nomination was before the Senate, but Wilkie was nonetheless confirmed 86-9. |
| Donald Trump has asked Mitch McConnell, the Senate’s top Republican, to hold a vote on legislation to reform the criminal justice system. | Donald Trump has asked Mitch McConnell, the Senate’s top Republican, to hold a vote on legislation to reform the criminal justice system. |
| Hopefully Mitch McConnell will ask for a VOTE on Criminal Justice Reform. It is extremely popular and has strong bipartisan support. It will also help a lot of people, save taxpayer dollars, and keep our communities safe. Go for it Mitch! | Hopefully Mitch McConnell will ask for a VOTE on Criminal Justice Reform. It is extremely popular and has strong bipartisan support. It will also help a lot of people, save taxpayer dollars, and keep our communities safe. Go for it Mitch! |
| Trump’s comments came after he addressed a national conference on crime in Missouri, where the president continued to rail against illegal immigration and demand funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border. | Trump’s comments came after he addressed a national conference on crime in Missouri, where the president continued to rail against illegal immigration and demand funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border. |
| It was no immediately clear what proposals Trump was prepared to support on criminal justice reform, but it’s worth noting his Justice Department moved quickly to unravel the Obama administration’s progress on the issue. | It was no immediately clear what proposals Trump was prepared to support on criminal justice reform, but it’s worth noting his Justice Department moved quickly to unravel the Obama administration’s progress on the issue. |
| Trump’s former attorney general, Jeff Sessions, reimposed mandatory minimums to low-level offenders -- a policy that disproportionately affects people of color, particularly the African American community. | Trump’s former attorney general, Jeff Sessions, reimposed mandatory minimums to low-level offenders -- a policy that disproportionately affects people of color, particularly the African American community. |
| Although criminal justice reform has bipartisan support in Congress, McConnell has said there are not sufficient votes in the Senate to advance a overhaul of the system. Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser, has been working on the issue and pushing for legislative action. | Although criminal justice reform has bipartisan support in Congress, McConnell has said there are not sufficient votes in the Senate to advance a overhaul of the system. Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser, has been working on the issue and pushing for legislative action. |
| Donald Trump is set to appoint General Mark Milley, the Army chief of staff, as his next top military adviser. | Donald Trump is set to appoint General Mark Milley, the Army chief of staff, as his next top military adviser. |
| Citing senior administration officials, the Associated Press reported on Friday that Milley, a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will succeed Marine General Joseph Dunford to be chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff. | Citing senior administration officials, the Associated Press reported on Friday that Milley, a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will succeed Marine General Joseph Dunford to be chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff. |
| Trump teased the news earlier in the day, telling reporters he would be making an announcement at the annual Army-Navy college football game in Philadelphia on Saturday. | Trump teased the news earlier in the day, telling reporters he would be making an announcement at the annual Army-Navy college football game in Philadelphia on Saturday. |
| Milley has been the Army’s top officer since August 2015. Well respected across the aisle, he is likely to get swift approval form the Senate. | Milley has been the Army’s top officer since August 2015. Well respected across the aisle, he is likely to get swift approval form the Senate. |
| Well, that escalated quickly. | Well, that escalated quickly. |
| After Rex Tillerson opened up about his frustrations working under Donald Trump, the president has fired back against his former secretary of state in a tweet: | After Rex Tillerson opened up about his frustrations working under Donald Trump, the president has fired back against his former secretary of state in a tweet: |
| Mike Pompeo is doing a great job, I am very proud of him. His predecessor, Rex Tillerson, didn’t have the mental capacity needed. He was dumb as a rock and I couldn’t get rid of him fast enough. He was lazy as hell. Now it is a whole new ballgame, great spirit at State! | Mike Pompeo is doing a great job, I am very proud of him. His predecessor, Rex Tillerson, didn’t have the mental capacity needed. He was dumb as a rock and I couldn’t get rid of him fast enough. He was lazy as hell. Now it is a whole new ballgame, great spirit at State! |
| Trump’s comments came after Tillerson said he had to constantly push back against the president for instincts that, if acted upon, would be in violation of the law. Tillerson went on to say Trump was “pretty undisciplined” and had an aversion to reading. | Trump’s comments came after Tillerson said he had to constantly push back against the president for instincts that, if acted upon, would be in violation of the law. Tillerson went on to say Trump was “pretty undisciplined” and had an aversion to reading. |
| It seems safe to say there’s no love lost between the two men. | It seems safe to say there’s no love lost between the two men. |
| Flashback to simpler times, when Trump couldn’t get enough of Tillerson: | Flashback to simpler times, when Trump couldn’t get enough of Tillerson: |
| Whether I choose him or not for "State"- Rex Tillerson, the Chairman & CEO of ExxonMobil, is a world class player and dealmaker. Stay tuned! | Whether I choose him or not for "State"- Rex Tillerson, the Chairman & CEO of ExxonMobil, is a world class player and dealmaker. Stay tuned! |
| A lot can change in two years! | A lot can change in two years! |
| We have a few clues on what to expect from Robert Mueller’s court filing on Paul Manafort, courtesy of ... Rudy Giuliani. | We have a few clues on what to expect from Robert Mueller’s court filing on Paul Manafort, courtesy of ... Rudy Giuliani. |
| While it’s good practice to take Giuliani, one of the more flamboyant members of Trump’s legal team, with a grain of salt, he offered the following to CNN: | While it’s good practice to take Giuliani, one of the more flamboyant members of Trump’s legal team, with a grain of salt, he offered the following to CNN: |
| “In the questioning of Manafort, they did tell them at the time that they believed he was lying about certain things related to us that he’s not lying about.” | “In the questioning of Manafort, they did tell them at the time that they believed he was lying about certain things related to us that he’s not lying about.” |
| Translation: Mueller’s team believes Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, lied to investigators in a violation of his plea agreement. Giuliani is essentially confirming the special counsel’s belief that Manafort lied, but naturally has a different spin on what transpired. | Translation: Mueller’s team believes Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, lied to investigators in a violation of his plea agreement. Giuliani is essentially confirming the special counsel’s belief that Manafort lied, but naturally has a different spin on what transpired. |
| According to Giuliani, investigators don’t buy Manafort’s account that then-candidate Trump did not know about the infamous June 2016 meeting at his eponymous tower in Manhattan. | According to Giuliani, investigators don’t buy Manafort’s account that then-candidate Trump did not know about the infamous June 2016 meeting at his eponymous tower in Manhattan. |
| You know, the one in which Manafort, the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, casually sat down with a Russian lawyer after being offered dirt on Hillary Clinton. It took place after Trump Jr. was told of an effort by the Russian government to help elect his father, to which he responded: “If it’s what you say I love it”. | You know, the one in which Manafort, the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, casually sat down with a Russian lawyer after being offered dirt on Hillary Clinton. It took place after Trump Jr. was told of an effort by the Russian government to help elect his father, to which he responded: “If it’s what you say I love it”. |
| Giuliani claims the special counsel tried to force Manafort to admit Trump knew about the meeting. Of course, Mueller knows a lot more than Giuliani about what investigators have discovered; and one side has a bit of a credibility problem. No prizes for guessing which. | Giuliani claims the special counsel tried to force Manafort to admit Trump knew about the meeting. Of course, Mueller knows a lot more than Giuliani about what investigators have discovered; and one side has a bit of a credibility problem. No prizes for guessing which. |