Michael Cohen is reportedly 'not counting on' a pardon from Trump if he's convicted

Michael Cohen.
(Image credit: Yana Paskova/Getty Images)

Michael Cohen, who once said that he would "take a bullet" for President Trump, isn't counting on the president reciprocating those fuzzy feelings.

Trump's former lawyer is under criminal investigation, and it appears federal investigators are diving deep into his past and his business dealings. While he hasn't been indicted, Cohen seems to be anticipating a rocky path ahead. A friend of Cohen's told CNN that Cohen isn't expecting to receive a presidential pardon from Trump, and he's apparently just pessimistically waiting to be arrested.

"I brought up the pardon, and he said, 'I don't think so. I just don't think so,'" Cohen's friend said. The former attorney also reportedly said "I don't know what to think anymore."

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"His mindset is of someone who is operating under the assumption that he is not getting that, though of course he doesn't know one way or the other," another source told CNN. Trump last month said he "hasn't even thought about" pardoning Cohen, noting that he hadn't been convicted of anything. Cohen sparked debate over whether he might flip on the president when he told ABC News that his loyalty lies with his "family and country" over Trump. "He's certain in his mind that he has been dismissed" by the president, said his friend. Read more at CNN.

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Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.