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Donald Trump speaking at a rally yesterday Craig Hudson/Gazette-Mail/PA Images

Explainer: Why Trump is in the firing line after two key allies found guilty

Former lawyer Michael Cohen has implicated the US President in alleged “hush money” payments.

DONALD TRUMP STOOD accused of conspiring to commit campaign finance fraud and two of his closest aides faced jail time yesterday, after court proceedings delivered a legal and political one-two punch to his embattled presidency.

In a drama that played out simultaneously across two US cities, a court found one former aide guilty of eight charges – and the other pleaded guilty to another eight – stemming from the federal investigation into the 2016 presidential election.

In New York, Trump’s longtime fixer, the lawyer Michael Cohen, admitted to charges that included making illegal campaign contributions.

Separately, former campaign manager Paul Manafort was found guilty on a number of fraud charges, in the first case that special investigator Robert Mueller has sent to trial.

Cohen detailed how he made pre-election hush payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Both claim to have had affairs with Trump.

In a sensational twist, Cohen also pointed to the president – or “individual 1″ as a co-conspirator – alleging that he acted “in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office” in making those payments.

“I participated in this conduct with the purpose of influencing the election,” a visibly crestfallen Cohen told the judge, his voice trembling at times as he addressed the packed courtroom.

That admission put Trump himself in legal jeopardy. And it raised the prospect that a once-trusted lieutenant is ready to spill secrets, gathered over decades, in exchange for a reduced sentence.

In a statement to US media, Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani said, “there is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government’s charges against Mr Cohen”.

Cohen’s lawyer Lanny Davis explained his client’s about face after years spent vowing to “take a bullet” for Trump.

“This is Michael fulfilling his promise… to put his family and country first and tell the truth about Donald Trump,” said Davis.

“Today, he stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election,” the lawyer continued.

“Witch hunt”

While the Cohen drama was unfolding in New York, a jury in Virginia found Trump’s one-time campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, guilty on eight counts, including bank fraud, tax fraud and failure to declare foreign bank accounts.

Trump expressed regret, calling Manafort “a good man”.

“I feel very sad about that,” Trump told reporters as he arrived in West Virginia for a rally, claiming the conviction was part of a “witch hunt” after the 2016 election.

It’s a very sad thing that happened, this has nothing to do with Russian collusion.

Trump also sought to distance himself from Manafort – who was instrumental in the 72-year-old securing the 2016 Republican nomination.

“He worked for many, many people,” said Trump, citing campaigns for former president Ronald Reagan and vice presidential candidate Bob Dole.

At the rally Trump made oblique but impassioned comments about Manafort and the Mueller probe.

“Where is the collusion?” he asked the crowd. “They are still looking for collusion, where is the collusion? Find some collusion. We want to find the collusion.”

Mueller has an uphill battle to prove allegations that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 election, and that Trump has sought to obstruct his investigation.

The Manafort case, the first one the Mueller team has sent to trial, saw a jury find the former Trump campaign chairman guilty on eight counts of tax evasion, bank fraud and financial account reporting violations.

This success for Mueller boosts his own investigation, which Trump has repeatedly criticised.

Biggest problems

It is Cohen’s decision to enter a plea deal that may pose the most problems for Trump.

While it is US legal tradition that the president cannot be tried, the allegation, if proven, will only increase calls for his impeachment as congressional elections in November come nearer.

“I think impeachment is now squarely going to define the midterms,” Rob Stutzman, a Republican strategist and Trump critic, told The New York Times. “It’s inescapable now that Democrats can legitimately raise that issue.”

Currently, the Republican majority in Congress prevents the possibility of impeachment – unless his own party turns on Trump.

Questioned by a federal judge in Manhattan, Cohen indicated he had paid sums of $130,000 and $150,000 each to two women who claimed they had affairs with Trump.

Cohen said he made the payments “at the request of a candidate” to silence “information that would be prejudicial to the candidate and the campaign.”

In addition to two counts of violating campaign finance laws, Cohen pleaded guilty to five counts of tax fraud and one of bank fraud during the hearing before US District Judge William Pauley.

The federal judge informed the 51-year-old Cohen that he faced a maximum of 65 years of imprisonment, with his sentence set to be handed down on December 12.

The US president had spent much of the day cooped up at the White House, as rainstorms raged outside and the two high-profile legal cases with profound implications for his presidency reached their coda.

At a courthouse close to Washington, jurors spent four days deliberating on the 18 charges against Manafort.

While the jury was unable to reach a verdict on 10 counts, prompting the judge to declare a partial mistrial, Manafort was found guilty on the eight remaining charges.

These included five counts of filing false income tax returns, two counts of bank fraud and one of failure to report foreign bank and financial accounts.

Each of the bank fraud counts carries a significant maximum sentence and the 69-year-old could theoretically live out the remainder of his years in prison – though a legal expert contacted by AFP predicted his sentence would in reality last less than a decade.

“Manafort’s conviction shows that Mueller’s investigation is far from a witch hunt,” said Democratic congressman Adam Schiff.

“It also shows his campaign and administration were rife with people with a history of unscrupulous business dealings and concerning ties to overseas interests.”

This is certainly a troubling time for Trump, but the US President is not quite cornered yet.

- © AFP, 2018

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    Mute Fank Pulman
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    Aug 16th 2017, 9:23 AM

    A franchise that has stood test of time. Craig – the best 007, since Connery….

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    Mute Paul Hughes
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    Aug 16th 2017, 2:49 PM

    @Fank Pulman: always preferred Brosnan to be honest

    25
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    Mute prop joe
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    Aug 16th 2017, 5:32 PM

    @Fank Pulman: nah. Moore and Bronson are 1 and 2. Craig is too stiff, Casino Royal is a great film but they have been poor to average since.

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    Mute Young Politician
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    Aug 16th 2017, 9:23 AM

    The best Bond – may he reign for another 20 years

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    Mute Young Politician
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    Aug 16th 2017, 4:51 PM

    @George Harvey: Incorrect

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Aug 16th 2017, 9:43 AM

    The clamour will soon start to get “progressive” and make 007 a female.
    I didn’t think I’d like Craig as Bond in his first outing in 2006 but he has been an excellent choice I think.

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    Mute DarkHorse
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    Aug 16th 2017, 9:58 AM

    @Dave Murray:

    A female Bond would be a joke

    It would only serve to placate the PC brigade and generate publicity.

    115
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    Mute Barry morcom
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    Aug 16th 2017, 10:18 AM

    @Dave Murray: won’t happen, the broccoli family just wouldn’t allow it, why does everything have to be so pc these days..
    Waiting for the inevitable ‘there should be a transgender bond’!!!!!!

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    Mute Dermot Quinn
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    Aug 16th 2017, 10:40 AM

    @Dave Murray: Sure why would it matter as long as the actress could do justice in the role?

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Aug 16th 2017, 10:45 AM

    @DarkHorse: The world we live in now unfortunately, pandering to the PC and the outraged snowflakes on Twitter.

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    Mute Fox
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    Aug 16th 2017, 11:40 AM

    @Dave Murray: I’m in favour of more female lead roles and was happy about the Doctor who announcement but making James Bond a woman would just be ridiculous.

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    Mute Dan
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    Aug 16th 2017, 11:51 AM

    @Dave Murray: his name is James…says it all really

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Aug 16th 2017, 11:59 AM

    @Dave Murray: Idris Elba would be interesting. Not for any racial reason. Just think he’d be a good follow up to Daniel Craig

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    Mute Nucky
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    Aug 16th 2017, 12:09 PM

    @DarkHorse: they have already ruined Dr Who by casting a female in my eyes

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    Mute Thunder Snowman
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    Aug 16th 2017, 1:56 PM

    @Nucky: why? In the original stories Dr Who often came back as a woman. The makers of Dr Who, if anything are being true to the original stories.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Aug 16th 2017, 2:09 PM

    @George Harvey: if you haven’t noticed the actors haven’t been identical and therefore don’t all match the description.

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    Mute Paul McK
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    Aug 16th 2017, 5:33 PM

    @George Harvey: which funnily enough changed after Fleming saw Connery embody the character in the first film.

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    Mute Chris Cantwell
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    Aug 16th 2017, 6:05 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: I second that comment on Idris Elba, The man is a great actor.

    Would make a splendid bond

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    Mute Amy Wallis
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    Aug 16th 2017, 9:21 AM

    I like Daniel Craig, I do. I loved Skyfall and liked Spectre. But they should have gotten a new Bond for Spectre. They had already introduced the new M, Q and Moneypenny in Skyfall, it was the perfect time to bring in the new Bond after that. But they didn’t and whatever.

    But Craig is simply too old now. He’s a great actor and has done a great job, but he really is just too old for this role.

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    Mute Ray Dow
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    Aug 16th 2017, 9:45 AM

    @Amy Wallis: I agree, the franchise needs new blood to give it a lift. Craig’s performances have become too wooden and he seems like he is only going through the motions at this stage. The likes of Aidan Turner would be perfect for the role.

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Aug 16th 2017, 9:50 AM

    @Ray Dow: The last two movies have made between $800 million and a $1 billion at the box office each so the franchise isn’t doing too bad with Craig but I do think the next one should be his last alright as 5 movies and 13 years when the next one comes out is probably long enough.

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    Mute William Clay
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    Aug 16th 2017, 9:45 AM

    That slash my wrists comment was taken completely out of context.
    Pi$$es me off no end that no journalist will report on what he actually said and meant.
    Sensationalism I suppose.

    31
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    Mute OU812
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    Aug 16th 2017, 9:50 AM

    Never Say Never Again

    They HAVE to give him this line in the movie.

    26
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    Mute Mike O Connor
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    Aug 16th 2017, 9:54 AM

    He is no Timothy Dalton

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Aug 16th 2017, 10:19 AM

    @Mike O Connor: thank fook

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    Mute Fabio Dillon
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    Aug 16th 2017, 11:46 AM

    Excellent Bond… Probably my favourite.

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    Mute Ken Pepper
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    Aug 16th 2017, 10:33 AM

    lets hope they get back to a decent theme tune…the last two were dire…and both won Oscars? lol….get Shirley Bassy back !

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    Mute decky smith
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    Aug 16th 2017, 12:35 PM

    Leo varadakar should be the next bond

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    Mute Andi Black
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    Aug 16th 2017, 10:18 AM

    Watched him in ‘Defiance’ recently. Good actor and a movie.

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    Mute Jonathan Byrne
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    Aug 16th 2017, 9:56 AM

    @Richard Wright: a view to kill, was that Roger moore?

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Aug 16th 2017, 9:59 AM

    @Jonathan Byrne: It sure was, the brilliant Christopher Walken as Max Zorin and the whacky Grace Jones as Mayday.

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    Mute Finbarr Coyle
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    Aug 16th 2017, 11:07 AM

    Daniel Craig looks more like a comedian than a bond

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    Mute Jonathan Byrne
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    Aug 16th 2017, 10:04 AM

    Ahh that was a great bond film. I love be how ridiculous an equally the greatness of old school 007 movies

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    Mute Chris Lane
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    Aug 16th 2017, 11:33 AM

    Was looking forward to seeing who the next bond would be.

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    Mute Anthony Gallagher
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    Aug 16th 2017, 7:19 PM

    A friend of mine used to drink in craigs local in kensal rise ,north london ,he said he was a real sound bloke .i think he was one the best bonds for sure /

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    Mute DaisyChainsaw
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    Aug 16th 2017, 1:48 PM

    It gives Aidan Turner the chance to finish Poldark before taking over!

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    Mute Quentin Moriarty
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    Aug 16th 2017, 1:10 PM

    Noooooooooooooooooo

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    Mute Ken Pepper
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    Aug 16th 2017, 10:32 AM

    always looks like he just sucked a lemon

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    Mute Ken Pepper
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    Aug 16th 2017, 2:12 PM

    He’d better lay of the chicken fillet rolls and get the slendertone back on so …

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    Mute Ken Pepper
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    Aug 16th 2017, 2:12 PM

    He’d better lay of the chicken fillet rolls and get the slendertone back on so …

    1
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