Search CNN...

FBI raids Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's office, seizes Stormy Daniels documents, bank records
By Eli Watkins

Updated 2324 GMT (0724 HKT) April 9, 2018
Attorney Michael Cohen arrives to Trump Tower for meetings with President-elect Donald Trump on December 16, 2016 in New York.
Play Video
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: Special counsel Robert Mueller (C) leaves after a closed meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee June 21, 2017 at the Capitol in Washington, DC. The committee meets with Mueller to discuss the firing of former FBI Director James Comey. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
What Trump would have to do to fire Mueller
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has been appointed by the Justice Department as a special counsel to over see an investigation in Russian influence in the 2016 elections. In this photo Mueller testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2011 in Washington, DC.
The man in charge of the Russia investigation
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Paul Manafort, former campaign manager for Donald Trump, exits the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse, February 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. This is Manafort's first court appearance since his longtime deputy Rick Gates pleaded guilty last week in special counsel Robert MuellerÕs Russia probe. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Mueller authorized by DOJ to investigate Manafort
John Dowd, lead attorney for Raj Rajaratnam, co-founder of Galleon Group LLC, enters federal court in New York, U.S., on Thursday, May 5, 2011.
Why did Trump's lead lawyer drop out now?
Jeff Flake SOTU 01
Flake: Hope GOP lawmakers stand up for Mueller
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Paul Manafort (R), former campaign manager for Donald Trump, arrives at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse, February 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. This is Manafort's first court appearance since his longtime deputy Rick Gates pleaded guilty last week in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Mueller pushed for Gates' help on collusion
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: Special counsel Robert Mueller (2nd L) leaves after a closed meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee June 21, 2017 at the Capitol in Washington, DC. The committee meets with Mueller to discuss the firing of former FBI Director James Comey. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The Mueller investigation: Who could be next?
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 08: Robert S. Mueller III, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), speaks at the International Conference on Cyber Security (ICCS) on August 8, 2013 in New York City.
Mueller subpoenas Trump Organization documents
Attorney Michael Cohen arrives to Trump Tower for meetings with President-elect Donald Trump on December 16, 2016 in New York.
FBI raids Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's office
trump mueller comey firing
Trump: We'll see what happens to Mueller

Toobin: Looks like Trump itching to fire Mueller

Sources close to Trump: Mueller has gone rogue
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert Mueller testifies before the US Senate Judiciary Committee on oversight during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, June 19, 2013. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
Mueller's team questioning Russian oligarchs

Dutch lawyer sentenced in Mueller probe
Paul Manafort, advisor to Donald Trump, is seen on the floor of the Quicken Loans Arena at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, July 19, 2016.
Manafort's journey to center of Mueller's investigation
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: Special counsel Robert Mueller (C) leaves after a closed meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee June 21, 2017 at the Capitol in Washington, DC. The committee meets with Mueller to discuss the firing of former FBI Director James Comey. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
What Trump would have to do to fire Mueller
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has been appointed by the Justice Department as a special counsel to over see an investigation in Russian influence in the 2016 elections. In this photo Mueller testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2011 in Washington, DC.
The man in charge of the Russia investigation
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Paul Manafort, former campaign manager for Donald Trump, exits the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse, February 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. This is Manafort's first court appearance since his longtime deputy Rick Gates pleaded guilty last week in special counsel Robert MuellerÕs Russia probe. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Mueller authorized by DOJ to investigate Manafort
John Dowd, lead attorney for Raj Rajaratnam, co-founder of Galleon Group LLC, enters federal court in New York, U.S., on Thursday, May 5, 2011.
Why did Trump's lead lawyer drop out now?
Jeff Flake SOTU 01
Flake: Hope GOP lawmakers stand up for Mueller
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Paul Manafort (R), former campaign manager for Donald Trump, arrives at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse, February 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. This is Manafort's first court appearance since his longtime deputy Rick Gates pleaded guilty last week in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Mueller pushed for Gates' help on collusion
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: Special counsel Robert Mueller (2nd L) leaves after a closed meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee June 21, 2017 at the Capitol in Washington, DC. The committee meets with Mueller to discuss the firing of former FBI Director James Comey. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The Mueller investigation: Who could be next?
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 08: Robert S. Mueller III, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), speaks at the International Conference on Cyber Security (ICCS) on August 8, 2013 in New York City.
Mueller subpoenas Trump Organization documents
Attorney Michael Cohen arrives to Trump Tower for meetings with President-elect Donald Trump on December 16, 2016 in New York.
FBI raids Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's office
trump mueller comey firing
Trump: We'll see what happens to Mueller

Toobin: Looks like Trump itching to fire Mueller

Sources close to Trump: Mueller has gone rogue
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert Mueller testifies before the US Senate Judiciary Committee on oversight during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, June 19, 2013. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
Mueller's team questioning Russian oligarchs

Dutch lawyer sentenced in Mueller probe
Paul Manafort, advisor to Donald Trump, is seen on the floor of the Quicken Loans Arena at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, July 19, 2016.
Manafort's journey to center of Mueller's investigation
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: Special counsel Robert Mueller (C) leaves after a closed meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee June 21, 2017 at the Capitol in Washington, DC. The committee meets with Mueller to discuss the firing of former FBI Director James Comey. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
What Trump would have to do to fire Mueller
Washington (CNN)The FBI raided the office of Michael Cohen, a personal lawyer and confidant of President Donald Trump, Cohen's attorney confirmed to CNN Monday.

One source familiar with the matter told CNN that included in the documents authorities seized was information related to Stephanie Clifford, better known as porn actress Stormy Daniels, who alleges she had an affair with Trump in 2006 that the White House has denied. A source familiar with the matter said the search warrant was very broad in terms of items sought, and another source said the search included bank records.
Trump slams FBI for raid of his personal attorney's office
Trump slams FBI for raid of his personal attorney's office
Stephen Ryan, a lawyer for Cohen, said in a statement that the US Attorney's office for the Southern District of New York had executed "a series of search warrants" including at his office, and "seized the privileged communications" between Cohen and his clients.

Sponsor Content
A creative approach to the world of sound
Content provided by Lexus
Trump slammed the move Monday as a "disgraceful situation" and "an attack on our country." A White House official said Trump had been watching TV reports, and that the President knew about the raid before the news broke.
The Monday raids included the Loew's Regency hotel where Cohen has been staying, according to a source familiar with the matter. There were approximately a dozen FBI agents involved, the source said.
Additionally, The Wall Street Journal reported the raid included Cohen's home.
ADVERTISING

inRead invented by Teads
The FBI just raided Michael Cohen's office. Here's what he still hasn't told us about the Stormy Daniels payment
The FBI just raided Michael Cohen's office. Here's what he still hasn't told us about the Stormy Daniels payment
Ryan's statement called the search "completely inappropriate and unnecessary," and said federal prosecutors had told him it stemmed partially from a referral by the office of special counsel Robert Mueller.
"I have been advised by federal prosecutors that the New York action is, in part, a referral by the Office of Special Counsel, Robert Mueller," Ryan said in the statement. "... It resulted in the unnecessary seizure of protected attorney client communications between a lawyer and his clients. These government tactics are also wrong because Mr. Cohen has cooperated completely with all government entities, including providing thousands of non-privileged documents to the Congress and sitting for depositions under oath."
A source close to the White House warned that Mueller's decision could push Trump in the direction of taking action against the special counsel's office.
"This is ridiculous. This is now getting ridiculous," Trump said Monday, pointing to a "whole new level of unfairness."
Asked why he hasn't moved to fire Mueller, Trump again said the situation is a "disgrace."
"Why don't I just fire Mueller? Well, I think it's a disgrace what's going on. We'll see what happens," Trump said. "Many people have said you should fire him. Again, they found nothing. And in finding nothing, that's a big statement."
This source, who has long said the President could still fire Mueller based on conversations with Trump and close advisers, believes the President could view the raid as crossing a red line and said among the actions Trump could take is replacing Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who has oversight of the probe.
The New York Times first reported on news of Monday's raid.
Law firm offices
A source familiar with the situation said agents visited Cohen's office this morning at the law firm Squire Patton Boggs in New York. Angelo Kakolyris, a spokesman for Squire Patton Boggs, said, "The firm's arrangement with Mr. Cohen reached its conclusion, mutually and in accordance with the terms of the agreement."
"We have been in contact with federal authorities regarding their execution of a warrant relating to Mr. Cohen," he continued. "These activities do not relate to the firm and we are in full cooperation."
Cohen had formed a strategic alliance to develop business with the law firm a year ago after leaving the Trump Organization's umbrella. The law firm does not represent Cohen or Trump.
The special counsel's office and Justice Department declined to comment on the searches Monday.
FBI jurisdiction
Under special counsel regulations, Mueller's office would have to discuss with the attorney general whether to keep an investigation under the special counsel's office or to refer it to a different jurisdiction. Because Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from oversight of the investigation, Rosenstein would then presumably decide which investigative team moves forward.
Michael Cohen -- Trump's loyal fixer
Michael Cohen -- Trump's loyal fixer
A person briefed on the search told the Times that the FBI also seized emails, tax documents and business records, including communications between Trump and Cohen.
The White House official said it is unclear if Trump has spoken to Cohen.
Daniels payment
Cohen is a longtime ally of the President, and admitted earlier this year to setting up a limited liability company in 2016 to pay Daniels. She has alleged she had an affair with Trump a decade earlier, and that the payment was hush money. The White House has denied Daniels' allegations of an affair with Trump.
News of the payment prompted complaints to the Justice Department and Federal Election Commission over potential violations of campaign finance law.
Michael Avenatti, Daniels' attorney, responded to the news on Twitter, saying "an enormous amount of misplaced faith has been placed" on Cohen's shoulders.

Asked about the Daniels controversy last week, Trump said he did not know about the payment and declined to comment further, instead referring questions to Cohen.
"You'll have to ask Michael Cohen," Trump said. "Michael is my attorney. You'll have to ask Michael."
CNN's Katelyn Polantz, Evan Perez, Gloria Borger, Pamela Brown, Jim Acosta, Jeremy Diamond and Jeff Zeleny contributed to this report.


https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/09/politics/michael-cohen-fbi/index.html



For Trump, Syria policy is all about the economy -- and private jumbo jets

Mynd44. Lalasticlala.

...this is not looking good at all for President Trump!!!

Trump's lawyer needs a lawyer.

Mindfulness:
Trump's lawyer needs a lawyer.

Anything and anyone connected to Trump is toxic in America now because of Trampy lies and shenanigans. Director Mueller is getting under Trampy skin and majority of Americans are rooting for Director Mueller to do the needful. Never seen so much sleaze factor in any American administration in my lifetime.

Abbeybailey:
Anything and anyone connected to Trump is toxic in America now because of Trampy lies and shenanigans. Director Mueller is getting under Trampy skin and majority of Americans are rooting for Director Mueller to do the needful. Never seen so much sleaze factor in any American administration in my lifetime.

Americans have elected a reality TV star, aren't you entertained?

On a more serious note, Trump is just the symptom of the problems you have, not the cause. If anyone with his mindset who is more competent rises to power, you are all doomed and maybe even the rest of the world. Something must change asap. I am not worried about Trump, I knew he would blow it up sooner or later but it is terrifying how readily people were supporting someone who employs similar methods as those who were ruling Nazi Germany.

Mindfulness:


Americans have elected a reality TV star, aren't you entertained?

On a more serious note, Trump is just the symptom of the problems you have, not the cause. If anyone with his mindset who is more competent rises to power, you are all doomed and maybe even the rest of the world. Something must change asap. I am not worried about Trump, I knew he would blow it up sooner or later but it is terrifying how readily people were supporting someone who employs similar methods as those who were ruling Nazi Germany.

Don't forget that with all the shenanigans going on during the election, majority of Americans still voted against Trampy. What keeps people like me and other millions of Americans going is that we know that America is a country governed by the rule of laws and that Trump is not above the law. He's developing a BP now with the FBI searching the office and the hotel room of his personal lawyer and Mafioso enforcer. Director Mueller will finally get the job done and America will be rid of the worthless bigot.

Abbeybailey:
Don't forget that with all the shenanigans going on during the election, majority of Americans still voted against Trampy. What keeps people like me and other millions of Americans going is that we know that America is a country governed by the rule of laws and that Trump is not above the law. He's developing a BP now with the FBI searching the office and the hotel room of his personal lawyer and Mafioso enforcer. Director Mueller will finally get the job done and America will be rid of the worthless bigot.

I see your point but I am still concerned with all the Americans, millions of them, who saw nothing wrong in electing someone who scapegoats minorities and attacks the freedom of the press like the reincarnation of Hitler himself. While I get that most of us vote for those who follow through with policies which are crucial to our daily lives, I do not understand how this m.oron and demagogue could make it through the primaries without anyone stopping him. Fortunately, the US has a good system of checks and balances and strong institutions but if, at any time, someone who is smarter than Trump but in the same way dangerous, rises to power, the situation will be different, worse, life-threatening. Every student today, no matter in which country, should have to study the history of Nazi Germany and how Hitler rose to power so that history does not repeat itself because if you ask me how Hitler rose to power, I could point to the US today and say this is how. Attack minorities, attack the press, make unrealistic promises and so on and so forth. The fact that so many people were willing to attack the freedom of the press in his name goes to show how necessary civic education is. Trump was sawing on one of the pillars of democracy and millions Americans were willing to help.

Mindfulness:


I see your point but I am still concerned with all the Americans, millions of them, who saw nothing wrong in electing someone who scapegoats minorities and attacks the freedom of the press like the reincarnation of Hitler himself. While I get that most of us vote for those who follow through with policies which are crucial to our daily lives, I do not understand how this m.oron and demagogue could make it through the primaries without anyone stopping him. Fortunately, the US has a good system of checks and balances and strong institutions but if, at any time, someone who is smarter than Trump but in the same way dangerous, rises to power, the situation will be different, worse, life-threatening. Every student today, no matter in which country, should have to study the history of Nazi Germany and how Hitler rose to power so that history does not repeat itself because if you ask me how Hitler rose to power, I could point to the US today and say this is how. Attack minorities, attack the press, make unrealistic promises and so on and so forth. The fact that so many people were willing to attack the freedom of the press in his name goes to show how necessary civic education is. Trump was sawing on one of the pillars of democracy and millions Americans were willing to help.

You nailed it down perfectly my Sister. It's been over a year that the swine named Trampy has been sworn in and I still think I am dreaming. We just have to hope that the people around him are cautioning him for his excesses because I sincerely believe that he's at the early stage of dementia not to talk of his lack of knowledge and open bigotry in a diverse country . I am still hoping Director Mueller will do the needful and our midterm elections are coming up in November and there's going to be a Blue Avalanche all over America. That should send the swine and racist Trampy a message. Meanwhile, my hope in America is still strong not minding the buffoon in the Oval Office now.

Abbeybailey:
You nailed it down perfectly my Sister. It's been over a year that the swine named Trampy has been sworn in and I still think I am dreaming. We just have to hope that the people around him are cautioning him for his excesses because I sincerely believe that he's at the early stage of dementia not to talk of his lack of knowledge and open bigotry in a diverse country . I am still hoping Director Mueller will do the needful and our midterm elections are coming up in November and there's going to be a Blue Avalanche all over America. That should send the swine and racist Trampy a message. Meanwhile, my hope in America is still strong not minding the buffoon in the Oval Office now.

Dementia or not, what difference does it make it when compared to his ignorance? I have never seen a leader in the developed world being so ignorant. Money can't buy intelligence, curiosity and intellect. Only Trump could make Betsy the Secretary of Education, another ignoramus. It is easier to control the uneducated.

Mindfulness:


Dementia or not, what difference does it make it when compared to his ignorance? I have never seen a leader in the developed world being so ignorant. Money can't buy intelligence, curiosity and intellect. Only Trump could make Betsy the Secretary of Education, another ignoramus. It is easier to control the uneducated.

I always think Betsy DeVous is the worst Trump nomination, but Scott Pruitt is making that look like a fallacy.

Kophschmerzen:


I always think Betsy DeVous is the worst Trump nomination, but Scott Pruitt is making that look like a fallacy.

This guy takes the trophy but nobody is as ignorant as Betsy, the icon of idiocy.

Kophschmerzen:


I always think Betsy DeVous is the worst Trump nomination, but Scott Pruitt is making that look like a fallacy.

Jeff Sessions our A/G is up there too for the simple reason that he was and still is a Southern White Segregationist. He is the top Law Enforcement Officer in the United States and that's some scary shiiit. He couldn't even get confirmed as US Attorney in Alabama due to the criticism of the civil rights leaders then led by the wife of Dr Martin Luther King Jr . So many of Trampy cabinet picks are just as useless as Trump.

This seems like a ''Safe Space'' for Libtards manifesting their overdose of Trump Derangement Syndrome

obixcel:
This seems like a ''Safe Space'' for Libtards manifesting their overdose of Trump Derangement Syndrome

Obi the village Skunk, your Lord and savior Trump is wetting his underwear right now. We Americans dare him to fire Director Mueller and see the anger and venom that will be unleashed on him. FYI, we are talking about a country governed by the rule of laws not a Banana Republic. With that you can go back to your cave and do the needful. Meanwhile, your racist pig named Trampy hasn't given you your independence yet. By the way, The Republikkan Speaker of the House Paul Ryan will not be running for another term in November. Another one of the racist pig named Trampy lapdog is calling it quit. Blue wave of Tsunami coming in November and there is nothing a village Bozo like you can do about it in your cave. Go choke on that and by the way, where are your side kicks Stenchy and 9 inches of Basura?.

Man, you guys sure watch a lot of CNN.
NOT A FAN OF TRUMP BUT HE DELIVERS RESULTS AND THE FACT THAT MILLIONS VOTED FOR HIM SHOWS THEY WERE FED UP WITH THE SYSTEM, POLITICALLY INCORRECT TRUMP BECAME A SYMBOL OF IRREGULARITY TO UPSET THE "SWAMP"
one thing ive always admonished is the respect of election outcomes. Funny enough I remember a certain hillary cautioning the American people about donald trumps readiness to dispute the election results, back when the media thought she was going to win by a landslide, ironic imo

obixcel:
This seems like a ''Safe Space'' for Libtards manifesting their overdose of Trump Derangement Syndrome

It's not surprising that the record levels of corruption and legal cases in the Trump administration does not bother the likes of you, no; your madness was already becoming evident.

Why do these people hate Trump??

He is doing well as President... Well I know he would cross this stormy Daniels line....Only God knows what they will bring up next....

LordReed:


It's not surprising that the record levels of corruption and legal cases in the Trump administration does not bother the likes of you, no; your madness was already becoming evident.

Same with the last cowbender of daura buhari! They ears go mute when their goons are accused of corruption,shey e don run go london,powerbank president.

obonujoker:
Why do these people hate Trump??

He is doing well as President... Well I know he would cross this stormy Daniels line....Only God knows what they will bring up next....

People like you will never know why the racist Trump is hated in America. I as an African American can't stand his overt racism and that's one reason out of many.