Trump urges 'full sentence' for his ex-lawyer Cohen in Russia probe

By Doina Chiacu and Jan Wolfe

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the G20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina December 1, 2018. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Monday called for a "full and complete" sentence for his former lawyer Michael Cohen, accusing him of lying about Trump's business dealings with Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign to get reduced jail time.

 

Cohen, who is cooperating with a federal probe into whether Trump's campaign worked with Russia to sway the election, is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 12 after pleading guilty to tax evasion, making false statements to a bank, campaign finance violations, and lying to Congress.

 

In a court filing last week, Cohen said he had pursued a proposed Trump Organization real estate project in Moscow with Russian government officials well into the presidential campaign, with Trump's knowledge.

 

Cohen, once Trump's self-described "fixer," admitted he lied to Congress when he said efforts to pursue the Moscow project ended in January 2016, when they actually continued until June 2016, after Trump had clinched the Republican presidential nomination.

Lawyers for Cohen asked a federal judge in New York on Friday not to sentence him to prison.

 

After the plea deal, Trump described Cohen as weak and a liar and said he himself did nothing wrong in relation to the Moscow project.

 

In a series of tweets on Monday, the president accused Cohen of cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe in exchange for a reduced sentence on the unrelated tax fraud and campaign finance charges.

 

"'Michael Cohen asks judge for no Prison Time'. You mean he can do all of the TERRIBLE, unrelated to Trump, things having to do with fraud, big loans, Taxis, etc., and not serve a long prison term?" Trump said. "He lied for this outcome and should, in my opinion, serve a full and complete sentence."

 

Trump has described Mueller's probe as a political witch hunt. Russia denies interfering in the U.S. election.

 

It is unusual for a U.S. president or any senior government official to comment on court proceedings. Trump has regularly opined on sensitive judicial proceedings from the special counsel's case to federal appeals court rulings.

 

Several lawyers said Trump's tweet amounted to witness tampering.

 

PARDON ROULETTE

Trump's comments about Cohen contrasted with his expressions of sympathy for former associates caught in the web of Mueller's investigation, including former 2016 campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who faces sentencing after being convicted of tax and bank fraud charges.

 

The Republican president has refused to rule out a pardon for Manafort.

 

On Monday, Trump praised longtime associate and Republican operative Roger Stone, who has been under scrutiny by investigators over his comments about leaked Democratic emails during the 2016 presidential campaign. Stone told ABC News on Sunday he would not testify against Trump and has not discussed a pardon with the president.

 

"Nice to know that some people still have 'guts!'" Trump said in another Twitter post on Monday.

 

There was a strong case against the president for witness tampering because of his prior acts and statements, like dangling the possibility of a pardon for his Manafort, legal experts said.

 

George Conway, who is married to senior Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, retweeted Trump's tweet with a reference to a U.S. statute on witness tampering and obstruction of justice: "File under '18 U.S.C. §§ 1503, 1512.'"

 

"I think it is both obstruction and witness tampering," said Lisa Kern Griffin, a former federal prosecutor and law professor at Duke University. "He (Trump) is attempting to influence an ongoing investigation in an overt way."

 

Federal law makes it a crime to knowingly intimidate, threaten, or persuade another person to withhold testimony in an investigation.

 

It is highly inappropriate for a president to insert himself into a judicial process, said Jens Ohlin, a professor at Cornell Law School. "He’s not just a regular person. He’s the head of the executive branch."

 

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Additional reporting by Brendan Pierson and Karen Freifeld in New York; Editing by Grant McCool and Paul Simao)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-12-04

 So, it's taken two years of this witch hunt to catch a lawyer for lying and other sundry offenses. No mention of Russian collusion, absolutely no evidence that collusion between Trump and Russian players caused Hillary to lose her election. This is insane. Time to get straight-jackets on Mueller and all his team(and Strzok and Page and Comey and that woman beating lawyer that was always on CNN) and cart them all of to Guantanamo. This whole "show me the man and I'll find you a crime" farce is an unprecedented assault on democracy and needs to end now.

 

 Once again, credit to Trump for maintaining his dignity amidst this prolonged personal attack on him. 

"Once again, credit to Trump for maintaining his dignity amidst this prolonged personal attack on him. "

 

You have to be sh*tting me, the man is a freaking psychopath and doesn't have a clue what dignity is!!!  Do you realty believe that he has "the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect", especially as he continues to tweet his total disrespect for anyone that doesn't praise him during the period of mourning for Bush 41, who , by the way, was a republican president.

A nonsense post has been removed. 

 

 So, it's taken two years of this witch hunt to catch a lawyer for lying and other sundry offenses. No mention of Russian collusion, absolutely no evidence that collusion between Trump and Russian players caused Hillary to lose her election. This is insane. Time to get straight-jackets on Mueller and all his team(and Strzok and Page and Comey and that woman beating lawyer that was always on CNN) and cart them all of to Guantanamo. This whole "show me the man and I'll find you a crime" farce is an unprecedented assault on democracy and needs to end now.

 

 Once again, credit to Trump for maintaining his dignity amidst this prolonged personal attack on him. 

Maintinaining his dignity? As in being above the fray?

Really? Praising convicted felons? Urging maximum sentences for others?

What is there that smacks of dignity in this behavior? 

Just bizarre.

 

"Once again, credit to Trump for maintaining his dignity amidst this prolonged personal attack on him. "

 

You have to be sh*tting me, the man is a freaking psychopath and doesn't have a clue what dignity is!!!  Do you realty believe that he has "the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect", especially as he continues to tweet his total disrespect for anyone that doesn't praise him during the period of mourning for Bush 41, who , by the way, was a republican president.

There is no need for profanity. Do you have any idea how much stress serious investigations cause to innocent victims? Nothing is more serious that this investigation due to the high level of the witch hunters, and the sheer length of time it dragged on. Plus it was played out in public with leaks causing extra embarrassment to Trump, his family and friends. The strain was clear when he opted out of meeting Putin just to avoid the talking heads on TV going into frenzied pitch yet again. A lesser man/woman in Trumps position would be sorely tempted to start eliminating the problems in a more direct manner. Yes, Trump has been dignified and restrained.

Sure are lots of witches in Trump orbit. And I thought he wasn't religious...

"Special counsel Robert Mueller’s team has indicted or gotten guilty pleas from 33 people and three companies that we know of — the latest being former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen."

But that is from 4 days ago, so number will be low. BTW how many were indicted by hostile congressional investigations of Hillary & Benghazi witch hunt?

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/2/20/17031772/mueller-indictments-grand-jury

 

There is no need for profanity. Do you have any idea how much stress serious investigations cause to innocent victims? Nothing is more serious that this investigation due to the high level of the witch hunters, and the sheer length of time it dragged on. Plus it was played out in public with leaks causing extra embarrassment to Trump, his family and friends. The strain was clear when he opted out of meeting Putin just to avoid the talking heads on TV going into frenzied pitch yet again. A lesser man/woman in Trumps position would be sorely tempted to start eliminating the problems in a more direct manner. Yes, Trump has been dignified and restrained.

Sinking low but not as low as you can possibly go is hardly the same thing as maintaining your dignity.

Edited December 4, 20187 yr by bristolboy

 

 So, it's taken two years of this witch hunt to catch a lawyer for lying and other sundry offenses. No mention of Russian collusion, absolutely no evidence that collusion between Trump and Russian players caused Hillary to lose her election. This is insane. Time to get straight-jackets on Mueller and all his team(and Strzok and Page and Comey and that woman beating lawyer that was always on CNN) and cart them all of to Guantanamo. This whole "show me the man and I'll find you a crime" farce is an unprecedented assault on democracy and needs to end now.

 

 Once again, credit to Trump for maintaining his dignity amidst this prolonged personal attack on him. 

Trump's Moscow Tower deal was blocked by Obama's sanctions against the Russian bank that was financing the development.  Manafort was brought into the campaign to change the GOP platform to lift those sanctions and enlst Russian aid in Trump's election.  Trump publicly encouraged Putin to hack the DNC to uncover Clinton foundation emails.  Stone worked with Corsi to manage Assange's release of the emails to tilt the election (no proof of efficacy is required)  The "full and complete" sentence will be doled out to Manafort, Stone and Trump who will be found guilty of conspiracy to commit election fraud and violate the Federal election campaign laws.

The U.S.A. has abandoned the rule of law under Trump. I never thought I would see the day.

Lock her / him up

 

Seems like the man can't come up with anything other than jail for everyone

 

Hope Muller can come up with jail for one 

 

There is no need for profanity. Do you have any idea how much stress serious investigations cause to innocent victims? Nothing is more serious that this investigation due to the high level of the witch hunters, and the sheer length of time it dragged on. Plus it was played out in public with leaks causing extra embarrassment to Trump, his family and friends. The strain was clear when he opted out of meeting Putin just to avoid the talking heads on TV going into frenzied pitch yet again. A lesser man/woman in Trumps position would be sorely tempted to start eliminating the problems in a more direct manner. Yes, Trump has been dignified and restrained.

Donald threw a temper tantrum but didn't actually hit anybody = dignity.

According to Trump in 2016 Every other country was bad except the USA, Russia and Putin.

Now we finally know why he always praised Russia and Putin because  he secretly planned a high end Condominium there..How embarrassing this is all-getting for Americans.

impeach the fool!

How many clients did Mr. Cohen have again, I forget?

 

Ok, I looked it up.

 

Other than a little side-work for Hannity and Pecker (was it Pecker?) he only had 1 client in the last 15 yrs. 

 

I have yet to figure out who would exclusively hire a self-proclaimed “fixer”, who was a habitual liar, who was a “terrible” lawyer, and who committed serial frauds.

 

Can anyone tell me who it was who kept this little Bronx Eeyore  on exclusive retainer?

Edited December 4, 20187 yr by mikebike

 

There is no need for profanity. Do you have any idea how much stress serious investigations cause to innocent victims? Nothing is more serious that this investigation due to the high level of the witch hunters, and the sheer length of time it dragged on. Plus it was played out in public with leaks causing extra embarrassment to Trump, his family and friends. The strain was clear when he opted out of meeting Putin just to avoid the talking heads on TV going into frenzied pitch yet again. A lesser man/woman in Trumps position would be sorely tempted to start eliminating the problems in a more direct manner. Yes, Trump has been dignified and restrained.

Yes, you are right. With each additional Trump associate conviction more and more panic is creeping into his twittes. It's as if the noose around his neck keeps getting tighter and tighter.

As I watch TV coverage of the funeral ceremonies for POTUS 41 and listen to the many praises for his well earned respect and dignity, I can't help but wonder what such a funeral will look and sound like for 45. If there even is a state funeral, will it be attended by MbS, Vlad, Duterte, Kim and other tyrannical rulers who were once his GREAT friends and recipients of his praises and admiration?

There will be no further need for party members to suck up to him, thus, I would expect that most of the current brown nosers would not have anything good to say. More likely, they would choose to distance themselves from the troubled presidency of Donald J. Trump in the self serving interests of protecting their own legacy.

 

Donald Trump on Monday called for a "full and complete" sentence for his former lawyer Michael Cohen

 

If only Trump were capable of forming full and complete sentences.

 

 

If only Trump were capable of forming full and complete sentences.

 

That is very true.  Sad. ????

 

And, Mr. Donald Trump may be the one serving the complete sentence.

 

OP:   "There was a strong case against the president for witness tampering because of his prior acts and statements, like dangling the possibility of a pardon for his Manafort, legal experts said.". 

 

Geez, Trump is every criminal defense attorney's nightmare client.  As I understand it, the first or almost the first piece of advice given by any criminal defense attorney is to shut up.  

 

 

Edited December 4, 20187 yr by helpisgood

"I only hire the best criminals"

 

 

That is very true.  Sad. ????

 

And, Mr. Donald Trump may be the one serving the complete sentence.

 

OP:   "There was a strong case against the president for witness tampering because of his prior acts and statements, like dangling the possibility of a pardon for his Manafort, legal experts said.". 

 

Geez, Trump is every criminal defense attorney's nightmare client.  As I understand it, the first or almost the first piece of advice given by any criminal defense attorney is to shut up.  

 

 

Donald can not shut up. It is against his nature. He is compelled to show the world that he is the smartest, the genius of all geniuses. This genius has never heard of "foot in mouth" disease.

 

There is no need for profanity. Do you have any idea how much stress serious investigations cause to innocent victims? Nothing is more serious that this investigation due to the high level of the witch hunters, and the sheer length of time it dragged on. Plus it was played out in public with leaks causing extra embarrassment to Trump, his family and friends. The strain was clear when he opted out of meeting Putin just to avoid the talking heads on TV going into frenzied pitch yet again. A lesser man/woman in Trumps position would be sorely tempted to start eliminating the problems in a more direct manner. Yes, Trump has been dignified and restrained.

 You are great!

Ever considered a career in comedy!

...wait...what...?!

Can a perp possibly sound more guilty or act more guilty?this attempt to punish someone is just another reason this man is unfit to serve if you have nothing to hide shut the.... up 

“President Donald Trump on Monday called for a "full and complete" sentence for his former lawyer Michael Cohen, accusing him of lying about Trump's business dealings with Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign to get reduced jail time”

 

just so.... I reckon trump should sue Cohen for lying about him. Get them both on the stand to a uncover the truth.

 

failing that, what we have is one person under oath, assumedly telling the truth (subject to perjury charges) vs another person bumping their gums, with no requirement or compulsion (.legally) to tell the truth

 

logically, one should put more faith in the words spoken under oath

 

But.... the king of liars vs his court jester.... should be a winner.

Admittedly it's more than half a century since I studied the American Constitution, but I do recall something about separation of powers. So it seems to me that Trump is treading on the toes of the judiciary, and dangerously eroding one of the pillars of democracy, in calling for a "full and complete sentence".

Edited December 4, 20187 yr by PerkinsCuthbert

A post in violation of fair use policy has been removed. 

4 hours ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Once again, credit to Trump for maintaining his dignity amidst this prolonged personal attack on him. 

 

Strongly & incesantly implying you are a secret Kenyan Muslim (as Trump did to Obama) = “prolonged personal attack”

 

Indicting with evidence (and convicting in a court of law/accepting guilty pleas) Trump’s top (TOP!) campaign offcials, National Security Advisor and longtime personal lawyer = upholding the laws of the land. 

I am urging a "full sentence" for Trump. A sentence for his possible tax crimes, for his collusion, for his lifetime of thievery, for his lying under oath. Prison garb. Cohen was simply following your orders. Who is the guilty party here really?

5 hours ago, TopDeadSenter said:

 So, it's taken two years of this witch hunt to catch a lawyer for lying and other sundry offenses. No mention of Russian collusion, absolutely no evidence that collusion between Trump and Russian players caused Hillary to lose her election. This is insane. Time to get straight-jackets on Mueller and all his team(and Strzok and Page and Comey and that woman beating lawyer that was always on CNN) and cart them all of to Guantanamo. This whole "show me the man and I'll find you a crime" farce is an unprecedented assault on democracy and needs to end now.

 

 Once again, credit to Trump for maintaining his dignity amidst this prolonged personal attack on him. 

Lately posters new to TV have been jumping onto news threads about Trump shortly after they are started and posting over-the-top pro-Trump comments.  Has a Russian troll farm found TV?

They Got Nothing On Our GOD  Mr Trump The New Jesus Of The People..!!!!!!    Hee Hee

Edited December 4, 20187 yr by usacb500biker
spelling

4 minutes ago, heybruce said:

Lately posters new to TV have been jumping onto news threads about Trump shortly after they are started and posting over-the-top pro-Trump comments.  Has a Russian troll farm found TV?

I noticed that. Glad you mentioned it. But I see they haven't discovered the sad-face emoji yet.

I guess we can call these FAKE posters.