Investigating Michael Cohen: Why It’s Not About Trump's Affairs But About the Payoffs
Many have wondered why the investigation into Michael Cohen involves claims of affairs with women, when the primary focus was on Russian collusion. This article clarifies the confusion by delving into the specifics of the investigation and the issues at hand.
Understanding the Initial Impetus of the Investigation
The impetus for the investigation into both Russian collusion and Michael Cohen began with the aim to determine whether laws were broken during the process of collusion. The focus was not on the collusion itself, which is a known fact, but on the legality of the actions taken during that collusion.
Scope of Mueller’s Investigation
During the appointment, Mueller was specifically authorized to investigate Russian collusion and any other matters arising directly from that investigation. This means that any crimes that emerged during the course of the investigation were within the scope of his authority to pursue.
No responsible prosecutor would ignore crimes discovered in the process of investigating another crime. Therefore, Mueller expanded his investigation beyond Russian collusion to uncover any illegal activities involving Michael Cohen, who was closely involved with the Trump campaign.
The Cohen Case and Its Surroundings
Testimony during Mueller’s investigation revealed evidence suggesting that Michael Cohen committed one or more crimes. Realizing the extent of these crimes, Mueller conveyed the information to Rod Rosenstein, who then referred the case to the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY).
This referral was significant because the SDNY was initially appointed by Trump and subsequently recused himself. Another attorney from the SDNY then took the information to a magistrate judge who issued a warrant. Multiple levels of internal review within the FBI and DOJ were conducted before the warrant was issued.
Details of the Warrant and Its Purpose
The warrant was focused on several key areas, including the payoffs to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, personal investments made by Cohen, and communications between Cohen and Trump campaign staff and possibly Trump himself.
It is important to note that conversations about campaign or media strategy are not considered legal advice and thus are not protected under attorney-client privilege. This clarification is crucial in understanding the legal basis for the warrant and the subsequent investigations.
The Southern District attorney oversaw the raid and will handle any prosecution that arises from the evidence gathered. The raid sought to obtain information related to these specific activities, and the investigation is to identify and address any unlawful actions.
Wrapping Up: The Misconceptions Clarified
It is clear that the investigation into Michael Cohen does not revolve around Trump's affair claims but is centered on the payoffs and financial transactions that are part of his involvement with the Trump campaign. The focus is on uncovering illegal activities and ensuring the rule of law is upheld.
The extent of the investigation reflects a commitment to thoroughly examine all aspects of the Trump campaign that may have violated the law, even if these violations are not related to the primary conspiracy theory of Russian collusion.
In conclusion, while Russian collusion was the initial focus, the investigation has expanded to address any illegal activities that were uncovered, leading to the Cohen case. This clarification should help eliminate the confusion surrounding the actual reasons for the investigation.