'Dirty Deeds': Ex-Trump Lawyer Cohen Gets 3 Years in Prison
https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2018-12-12/ex-trump-lawyer-michael-cohen-faces-possible-jail-sentence
Summary:
The article explains the sentencing of Michael Cohen, Trump's previous lawyer. He was sentenced for 3 years for evading taxes, lying about Trump's involvement with Russia, and violating campaign finance laws in regards to paying off some of Trump's previous sexual partners, including Stormy Daniels. Cohen is allegedly fully cooperating, and Trump is denying that this reflects bad on him in any way, whatsoever. Trump has continually bad-mouthed Cohen and deemed his own involvement in the issue a "witch hunt." The article is concluded by revealing the reasoning of the judge: he gave credit to Cohen for cooperating, but still assured everyone that he deserves "everyday of the 36 month sentence."
Questions:
- Can Trump pardon Cohen? What would be the implications of this? Do YOU believe he will do it?
- How does Cohen’s sentencing affect the momentum for Trump’s impeachment… if at all? Respond in the form of a claim and BRIEFLY support it with evidence.
- Recently we’ve been learning about the judiciary. In what kind of court was Cohen trialed in? If Cohen is the defendant, who is the plaintiff?
1. Trump CAN pardon Cohen, whoever, he would never do this because of the controversy it would cause. It would likely stir up more momentum for an effort to impeach Trump. Also, he does not like Cohen, so he would never pardon him.
ReplyDelete2. Cohen's sentencing increases support for the impeachment of Trump. After working together for 12 years, by product of association he hurts Trump's reputation.
3. Michael Cohen was tried in a federal court district court. The plaintiff was the federal government and federal prosecutors and the defendant was Michael Cohen.
1) Trump has the power to pardon Cohen because he is the president and is given many powers including the power to pardon people of federal offences. Since he violated a campaign finance law against the FEC, it is a federal crime and can be pardoned. But, Trump would not pardon him because it would make him seem guilty for committing the crime and everyone would get mad at him for that.
ReplyDelete2) Cohen's sentencing would provide more momentum for Trump's impeachment because it shows how someone closely related and working with him was convicted of violating campaign finance laws. In fact, there are currently many investigations against Trump's administration at this time showing how this sentencing provided more momentum.
3) Cohen was trialed in the federal court at the lowest level called the district court. If there were an appeal, he would go to an appellate court. The plaintiff would be the FEC because he violated the federal election commission rule. Since he was found guilty of the violating the laws, the FEC won the suit whereas Cohen lost the suit.
1. Trump has the ability to pardon Cohen, but I certainly believe he will not do this. An action like this would hint to possible truth within Cohen's statements and it wouldn't make sense as the two are basically head to head at the moment. There would likely be negative publicity and public confusion for Trump if he pursues such an absurd action.
ReplyDelete2. I don't believe the Cohen sentencing is a huge step in the impeachment process of president Trump. However, I believe it is a step in the right direction as the investigation was able to get meaningful information and displays the power of the justice system in terms of the threat of possible collusion. Although he gave meaningful information the 3 year sentence sends a message to Trump, showing that even those helpful aren't above the law.
3. Cohen was trialed in a federal district court as these courts hold original jurisdiction. This is not an appeal so this case is not made in the appellate court system. The plaintiff is either the US or the FEC as both these groups were violated through election collusion.
1. If Trump decided to pardon Cohen I think it would become a major scandal and questioning of the dangers of presidential power. If the president was able to potentially use a figure like Cohen to influence the election and then pardon them for their alleged crimes then the presidency would become extremely powerful. I think its very unlikely for Trump to pardon Cohen since he's so publicly confirmed his disappointment in his actions.
ReplyDelete2. I think Cohen's sentencing substantially increases the momentum of the impeachment option since Cohen has been associated with Trump for so many years. The large amount of publicity regarding Cohen's sentencing additionally draws attention to Trump and the possibility of impeachment. Cohen's sentencing of 3 years in prison proves to Trump that even those associated with a presidential figure is not protected from the law.
3. Cohen was most likely tried in a federal district court because they hold original jurisdiction. The plaintiff would be the FEC for the campaign finance accusations or maybe the US.
1. Trump obviously has the power to impeach Cohen but I doubt he would do so, partially because of the backlash but mostly because of the fact that Cohen has essentially betrayed Trump and the implications that pardoning Cohen would bring.
ReplyDelete2. The sentencing does give the impeachment efforts some momentum but I still believe that it would be a mistake to do so. Regardless of my opinion because of the implications on the election the crimes by Cohen has there is going to be some more conversation at the very least about the impeachment.
3. Cohen was tried in a federal district court where I believe the plaintiff was the United States
1. Trump has the ability to pardon Cohen. However, I don't think he will pardon Cohen because this will shed some light on the motivations behind Cohen's statements. Furthermore, Trump doesn't really like Cohen, so there would be no point in Trump pardoning him.
ReplyDelete2. Although not a huge progression in the impeachment process, the sentencing of Cohen is going in the right direction. The 3 year sentence shows that even those who are associated with a presidential figure is not protected from the law.
3. Cohen was tried in a federal district court as these courts hold original jurisdiction.
1. Trump has the presidential power to pardon people who commit federal offenses, and Cohen violating FEC laws fits the requirement. However, if Trump were to pardon Cohen, there would be immediate backlash reflected in the public and in the media.
ReplyDelete2. Cohen's sentence does not have a significant immediate effect on the progression of Trump's impeachment. However, the investigation has brought more publicity to the possibility of impeachment and has cast a negative light on the Trump administration, considering the years Trump and Cohen have worked together.
3. Cohen was the defendant with the FEC as the plaintiff in the federal district court.
1. Trump has the power to pardon people, and Cohen's offense fits the requirement of offenses that can be pardoned. However, he most likely won't because there will be public uproar as it would seem controversial. Trump has been saying he doesn't like Cohen so it would not make sense for him to pardon him.
ReplyDelete2. This will propel the momentum of the Trump impeachment because since Trump and Cohen worked very closely together, Cohen's offense might reflect on Trump's character.
3. Cohen was tried in the federal district court. Cohen was the defendant and the plaintiff was the federal government.
1. Trump is able to pardon Cohen. I do not think that Trump will pardon Cohen because it would probably make Trump look bad, providing anti-Trump supporters more reasons why Trump should be impeached.
ReplyDelete2. Cohen's sentencing will provide a little momentum towards Trump's impeachment. They have worked together for many years, and damage to one person's public image could hurt the other.
3. Cohen was tried in a federal district court. Since Cohen was the defendant, the plaintiff is the FEC.
1. Trump could pardon Cohen. Considering that the two are not on great terms, however, Trump may not want to. Trump's stance is likely to distance himself from Cohen and claim that Cohen's actions were not his actions. If this were the case, he would most likely not pardon Cohen to be consistent with that stance.
Delete2. While this may or may not diminish public opinion of Trump, it does not provide substantial evidence of a reason to impeach him.
3. Cohen would be tried in a criminal court at the federal level, and the plaintiff would be the US government.
1. Although Trump has the executive power to pardon Cohen, I doubt he would do so given the potential controversy and backlash he would face. They do not have the best relationship, so pardoning Cohen simply because Trump has had a relationship with him would come off extremely suspicious on Trump's part.
ReplyDelete2. Cohen's sentencing would increase the momentum for Trump's impeachment because Cohen's transgressions would reflect badly on Trump because he chose to keep someone bad like this in his inner circle.
3. Cohen's trial took place in a federal district court, with the federal government as the plaintiff and Cohen as the defendant.