Michael Cohen pleads guilty to eight charges, implicating Donald Trump
Trump lawyer implicates US president directly in campaign financing crimes

Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer and long-time “fixer” has pleaded guilty to eight charges, including violating campaign financing laws at the direction of a “federal candidate”.
Michael Cohen admitted to a Manhattan court five counts of tax evasion, one count of making false statements to a financial institution, one count of wilfully causing an unlawful corporate contribution, and one count of making an excessive campaign contribution at the request of a candidate or campaign.
The BBC says his admission that he “knowingly broke campaign finance laws that was by far the most politically explosive”.
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.
Cohen admitted to making hush-money payments to two women who have claimed to have had sexual relations with Trump, “‘in coordination with and at the direction of a candidate for federal office’, implicating the president in a federal crime”, the New York Times says.
“I participated in this conduct, which on my part took place in Manhattan, for the principal purpose of influencing the election,” Cohen told the court.
The charges against Cohen carry potential penalties of up to 65 years in prison. However, Cohen has reportedly made a plea deal with prosecutors that sets out a much more lenient custodial sentence of five years and three months.
Trump ignored reporters’ questions about Cohen’s guilty plea as he arrived at a planned rally in West Virginia, and the White House has so far refused to answer any questions on the matter.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why does Trump keep interfering in the NYC mayoral race?
Today's Big Question The president has seemingly taken an outsized interest in his hometown elections, but are his efforts to block Zohran Mamdani about political expediency or something deeper?
-
Judge lets Cook stay at Fed while appealing ouster
Speed Read Trump had attempted to fire Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Trump threatens critics with federal charges
Feature Days after FBI agents raided John Bolton's home, Trump threatened legal action against Chris Christie
-
Why are Trump's health rumors about more than just presidential fitness?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Extended absences and unexplained bruises have raised concerns about both his well-being and his administration's transparency
-
'The McDonald's menu board is one fascinating thing'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own list
speed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act