Michael Cohen Breaks From Trump in ABC Interview: ‘I Put Family and Country First’
Michael Cohen sat down with George Stephanopoulos for his first interview since the FBI raid in April, and “strongly signaled his willingness to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller,” the ABC News anchor said.
“My wife, my daughter and my son have my first loyalty and always will,” Cohen said. “I put family and country first.”
Cohen, Donald Trump’s “fix it” lawyer, had his homes and office raided by the FBI over his payment to Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair with the president. He’s also being investigated by prosecutors in New York’s Southern District for potential financial crimes.
Stephanopoulos interviewed Cohen for 45 minutes at his hotel, and the pair discussed reports that the lawyer — known for his intense fealty to Trump — is considering flipping on the president.
On Good Morning America, Stephanopoulos said Cohen is “breaking free.”
The ABC News anchor said Cohen didn’t praise Trump during the interview, and said “my first priority” when asked “what he would do if prosecutors forced him to choose between protecting the president and protecting his family.”
“Once I understand what charges might be filed against me, if any at all, I will defer to my new counsel, Guy Petrillo, for guidance,” Cohen said.
Stephanopoulos reported:
But when I pointed out to Cohen that he wasn’t repeating past vows to “take a bullet” and “do anything” to protect the president, the longtime Trump loyalist left little doubt about where he stands now, saying simply: “To be crystal clear, my wife, my daughter and my son, and this country have my first loyalty.”
Cohen said he would be deferring to his lawyer’s advice, and responded forcefully when Stephanopoulos asked how he would respond if Trump’s legal team targets him directly.
“I will not be a punching bag as part of anyone’s defense strategy,” he said. “I am not a villain of this story, and I will not allow others to try to depict me that way.”
And despite Trump and his legal team’s attacks on the FBI and special counsel, Cohen defended his investigators, breaking with his former client.
“I respect the prosecutors. I respect the process,” he said. “I would not do or say anything that might be perceived as interfering with their professional review of the evidence and the facts.”
“I don’t agree with those who demonize or vilify the FBI. I respect the FBI as an institution, as well as their agents,” he said. “When they searched my hotel room and my home, it was obviously upsetting to me and my family. Nonetheless, the agents were respectful, courteous and professional. I thanked them for their service and as they left, we shook hands.”
“I don’t like the term witch hunt,” he added, referring to the Mueller probe.
He also called the infamous Trump Tower meeting with Russian nationals in 2016 “a mistake” and “simply an example of poor judgment.” When asked if Trump knew about the meeting, Cohen declined to answer.
When asked what he wants out of the ordeal, Cohen said, “I want to regain my name and my reputation and my life back.”
[image via screengrab]
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