Donald Trump praised his just-convicted former campaign chairman for refusing to “break” and cooperate with federal prosecutors investigating Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, according to The New York Times, therefore expressing appreciation for the personal loyalty of a felon found guilty of defrauding the United States government.
The day after Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chief, was convicted of tax and bank fraud, and Michael Cohen, Trump’s longtime personal lawyer, pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations, the president sent a series of tweets that seemed to convey he was more concerned with the fallout for himself than any of the crimes.
I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. “Justice” took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to “break” – make up stories in order to get a “deal.” Such respect for a brave man!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018
A large number of counts, ten, could not even be decided in the Paul Manafort case. Witch Hunt!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018
Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018
If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018
In the tweets, Trump compared Cohen unfavorably with Manafort, calling Cohen a bad lawyer who had caved to pressure, while lauding Manafort as a “brave man” with a “wonderful family” who stayed strong.
During a news briefing at the White House on Wednesday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said there was no crisis afoot in the West Wing, and that neither Manafort’s conviction nor Cohen’s guilty plea had anything to do with Trump.
“The president has done nothing wrong,” Ms. Sanders said, according to The Times. “There are no charges against him. There is no collusion.”
Thanks for reading InsideHook. Sign up for our daily newsletter and be in the know.
