Michael Cohen, the personal lawyer and longtime fixer for the president who once said he would "do anything" to protect Donald Trump, now says his "first loyalty" rests with his family.
In an interview with ABC News, Cohen acknowledged that he soon could face criminal charges in an ongoing FBI probe of his finances and business dealings. But Cohen told ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos that he respects the prosecutors and the process.
The interview offers fresh evidence that Cohen may be willing to cooperate with the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan in an effort to reduce his own criminal exposure. Cohen is enlisting a new lawyer, former New York prosecutor Guy Petrillo, who once held a leadership post in the same office investigating Cohen.
It's not clear what evidence, if any, Cohen may have to offer the government about others including Trump. Cohen declined to tell ABC whether Trump urged him to make a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels shortly before the presidential election.
And unlike his most prominent client and political patron, Trump, Cohen refused to characterize the separate investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election as a "witch hunt."
"I would not do or say a thing that might be perceived as interfering with their professional review of the evidence and the facts," Cohen added.
He also refused to say if Trump knew in advance about a 2016 meeting at Trump Tower between campaign officials and Russians offering "dirt" on Hillary Clinton.
Cohen told ABC he is seeking "resolution."
"I want to regain my name and my reputation and my life back," he said.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
