Michael Cohen Isn’t Really Expecting a Pardon

The first thing that popped into mind when I read about this was that there has to be something potentially damaging there, in the first place.

The second thing that entered my mind was: It must suck to be Michael Cohen, right now.

The former attorney and “fixer” for Donald Trump is going through some “life changes” now, and there is apparently a real fear that part of those life changes could include an orange jumpsuit and a DOC-issued ID number.

Interestingly enough, recent stories to emerge about Cohen include chatter from friends that he’s ready to flip and tell what he knows, in order to save his own skin.

Earlier in the week he sat with George Stephanopoulos and declared that his first loyalty was to his family and his country. He also said he stood with the U.S. intelligence community in their assessment that Russia attempted to interfere in the 2016 election, and that special counsel Robert Mueller was not conducting a “witch hunt.”

Oh, yeah. He’s off the Trump family Christmas card list for that one.

On Thursday, another small sign of the changing times was noted: Cohen removed any mention of his involvement with Donald Trump from his Twitter profile.

This is the man who once said of his loyalty to Trump that he would “take a bullet” for the man.

Now, maybe not so much.

For Cohen, it may be that he is beginning to look at his life choices and the amount of alleged abuse some say he endured as a Trump lackey, and it’s just not adding up to an eventual good thing, for him.

Michael Cohen has reportedly told friends that he’s pessimistic about the chances of receiving a pardon from his longtime client and friend President Donald Trump. The attorney—currently under criminal investigation in New York—has not yet been charged with any wrongdoing, but has told his friends he doesn’t think the President will ride to his rescue. “I brought up the pardon, and he said, ‘I don’t think so. I just don’t think so,'” Cohen’s friend recounted to a CNN reporter, adding: “He’s certain in his mind that he has been dismissed.” A second friend told CNN that they have discussed the possibility of a pardon, and that it is becoming increasingly clear that Cohen is not “counting on it,” adding: “His mindset is of someone who is operating under the assumption that he is not getting that, though of course he doesn’t know one way or the other.”

That would certainly explain the “family and country first” interview with Stephanopoulos.

Others are suggesting that that particular interview was a signal for help to Trump, but I wouldn’t count on Trump receiving it. He’s not known for his sensitivity.

Cohen is being investigated for bank fraud and violations of campaign finance law, in regards to the $130,000 payoff to former Trump mistress, Stormy Daniels in October 2016. He has yet to be charged with anything, formally, but considering his reputation as the man who “knows where the bodies are buried,” look for his case to be followed very closely by media, and Trump, himself.