Cohen revelations could mean Trump's impeachment

For the first time since Donald Trump took office in January 2017, the American President is facing some real legal risks. The dual drama that played out on the same day in two courtrooms - in New York and Virginia - could bring down a presidency. The case of Michael Cohen, Trump's lawyer and confidant of more than 12 years; and Paul Manafort, former campaign chairman and political consultant, have jeopardised Trump's situation. In his guilty plea, Cohen admitted to eight counts of wrongdoings, including breaking campaign finance laws and tax and bank fraud, which could help reduce his 65 years in jail to five years and three months. This came even as Manafort was convicted of bank and tax fraud by a jury in Virginia. The president had in the past denied any knowledge of hush money being paid to porn star Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model to influence the election. However, a tape of Cohen and Trump discussing the matter leaves no doubt on this count. Cohen secretly taped his 'client' discussing the payment - knowingly creating evidence that could be used against Trump. This is preposterous and an act few lawyers would do. But then Cohen was not recruited for his legal skills. He was selected because he was agreeable to doing things most lawyers would not do.
By clearly stating in court that the money was paid "in coordination with and at the direction of" a candidate, Cohen has left no room for Trump to feign innocence. Cohen's plea prove pivotal in the investigation into Trump's election campaign, and implicates him in a felony. It has also brought to the fore the corruption at the White House. Since the Robert Mueller investigation, Trump's former foreign policy aide, former national security adviser, former campaign manager, former deputy campaign manager, and former lawyer and fixer have all either pleaded guilty or been found. And now, the American president has been implicated in a federal crime. He escapes indictment because of a law that prohibits such action on a sitting president. The other option is impeachment, and the ball remains in Congress's court. Any inaction by Congress could mean relinquishment of responsibilities.