Here's what's making headlines in the political world on Wednesday, August 22, 2018:
Trump addresses Cohen in tweet hours ex-lawyer’s plea
-- President Trump blasted his former attorney Michael Cohen in a tweet Wednesday morning, hours after the self-proclaimed “fixer” pleaded guilty to eight felony charges -- including a campaign finance charge he claims came at Trump’s request.
The president, while not directly addressing the case against Cohen, said, “If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen!”
If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018
Trump then proclaimed his respect for his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who was found guilty on several charges related to financial fraud.
“I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. ‘Justice’ took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to ‘break’ - make up stories in order to get a ‘deal.’ Such respect for a brave man!
I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. “Justice” took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to “break” - make up stories in order to get a “deal.” Such respect for a brave man!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018
The president followed with a shot at former President Obama.
“Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled!”
Michael Cohen plead guilty to two counts of campaign finance violations that are not a crime. President Obama had a big campaign finance violation and it was easily settled!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018
Cohen reached a plea deal for making illegal payments to silence two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump. Cohen told the judge that he was “working in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office.”
Cohen’s attorney said the president should now be held responsible for directing his client “to the crime of a campaign finance donation that exceeded the legal limitations.”
Prosecutors said Cohen was reimbursed by the Trump Organization.
Trump has previously said he had no knowledge of any payments. The president’s current legal team said there is no allegation of wrongdoing against Trump and Cohen’s actions reflect a pattern of lies.
WaPo report: White nationalist attended top WH adviser birthday party last weekend
-- President Trump's chief economic adviser hosted white nationalist Peter Brimelow at his home last weekend, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
Brimelow, who is known for espousing anti-immigrant ideals and for his role in the white nationalist website VDare, attended Larry Kudlow's birthday party in Connecticut, Kudlow told The Post.
Kudlow said he'd known Brimelow "forever" but that "we would never have invited him" had he known about Brimelow's white nationalist ties, according to the paper.
Kudlow also told The Post that Brimelow's immigration beliefs are "a side of Peter that I don't know." "I totally, utterly disagree with that point of view and have my whole life. I'm a civil rights Republican," he said, according to The Post.
The Post noted that Kudlow's party took place a day after reports surfaced that Trump speechwriter Darren Beattie had left the White House following questions surrounding his attendance of a conference frequented by white nationalists.
CNN contributed to this report
