Cohen gives Congress emails he says shows Trump legal team dangled a pardon after FBI raid
Michael Cohen has shared with Congress documents he says shows President Trump's legal team dangled the possibility of a pardon.
CNN on Wednesday published emails between Robert Costello, an associate of Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and Cohen, from April 2018, a few weeks after Cohen's home and office were raided by the FBI. Costello, who was considering representing Cohen, said in the emails he had just spoken with Giuliani and that the conservation was "very very positive" and "they are in our corner."
While not mentioning a pardon specifically, Costello went on to tell Cohen he should "sleep well tonight" because "you have friends in high places." Cohen, CNN reports, has provided Congress with these emails as evidence that Trump's circle had dangled a pardon; Trump has accused Cohen of lying in his testimony when he said he never asked for a pardon. Cohen later said through his lawyer that he did ask about it but didn't request a pardon from Trump personally.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Costello told CNN that the idea that these emails represent a pardon being dangled is "utter nonsense," saying he raised the issue with Giuliani briefly at Cohen's request and that Giuliani said Trump wouldn't discuss it. "If that's dangling it, that's dangling it for about 15 seconds," said Costello. Giuliani also told CNN this email was simply about reassuring Cohen that "the president was not mad" because "it wasn't long after the raid and the president felt bad for him," while Costello similarly said Cohen "wanted to make sure that Trump knew that he didn't hate Trump." Read more at CNN.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How powerful is Iran?
Today's big question Islamic republic is facing domestic dissent and 'economic peril' but has a vast military, dangerous allies and a nuclear threat
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Olympics 2024: is Paris ready to party?
Talking Point Build-up to this summer's Games 'marred' by rows over national identity, security and pollution
By The Week UK Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress honors real-life Rosie the Riveters
Speed Read These American women reshaped the work force during World War II
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Outgunned Ukraine could fall, US general warns
Speed Read Without more US aid, Ukraine is at risk of losing the war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
House GOP scuttles FISA vote at Trump's urging
Speed Read Right-wing lawmakers blocked Speaker Mike Johnson's surveillance bill
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published