Dan Abrams: Not ‘If But When’ Trump Will Pardon Michael Cohen
ABC chief legal analyst and Mediaite founder Dan Abrams said on Good Morning America that Michael Cohen is likely to be indicted — and in the case that he is, President Donald Trump will certainly pardon him.
On Monday, the FBI raided the office and home of Cohen — Trump’s personal attorney — and obtained a number of documents relating to his payment of porn star Stormy Daniels.
ABC’s George Stephanopoulos asked Abrams whether Trump would try to pardon Cohen should he face charges.
“I think based on what we’ve seen, anyone who is following it will say there’s a really good chance Michael Cohen is going to get indicted,” Abrams said. “And I think that if Michael Cohen is indicted it’s not a question of if President Trump pardons him, it’s a question of when.”
“But also puts pressure on Michael Cohen, perhaps, to cooperate?” Stephanopoulos asked.
“Maybe, but I think that Michael Cohen is going to feel very safe that if and when he is indicted, he will be pardoned either before the trial, or after the trial, but at some point,” Abrams said.
The raid reportedly sent Trump into a fury, and has raised questions over whether he is considering firing special counsel Robert Mueller.
Abrams laid out what Trump would have to do to fire Mueller, which would either entail changing the regulations currently in place, or the “more likely” option of firing Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein first.
“Regardless, he has in some way, shape or form the power to do it,” Abrams said. “The question is…what are the consequences for doing so?”
Watch above, via ABC News.
[image via screengrab]
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