President Trump told reporters that he is open to considering a pardon for former attorney Michael Cohen.
Discussing the possibility of a pardon for Cohen, who was a key witness in the 2024 New York hush money trial, Trump said, “It was illegal what they did. What they put him through was incredible.”
“What they did to Michael Cohen was a disgrace,” Trump continued. “They forced him to say things that he didn’t want to say and that he didn’t believe. And I appreciate that at least he came out, although late, he came out and rectified the situation.” Addressing the pardon directly, Trump said, “If everything is checking out, it’s something I would consider.”
Cohen admitted in a January Substack post that he “felt compelled and coerced to deliver what they were seeking.”
“During my time with prosecutors, both in preparation for and during the trials, it was clear they were interested only in testimony from me that would enable them to convict President Trump,” Cohen added. “When my testimony was insufficient for a point the prosecution sought to make, prosecutors frequently asked inappropriate leading questions to elicit answers that supported their narrative.”
Last week, Trump declared on Truth Social that Cohen recanted his testimony. “I am pleased to report that Michael Cohen, the Prosecution’s Star Witness and, in actuality, only Witness in the New York State Attorney General and Manhattan DA Witch Hunt Cases brought against me, has just fully RECANTED his testimony,” he wrote. “He was ‘pressured’ and ‘coerced’ to say things that were not true. I would like to thank Michael for having the Wisdom and Courage to step forward and do the right thing!”
“His Act of Bravery is a Great Credit to the Justice System in New York City and State. I am sure it was not easy for him! Now we are asking that any remnant of those Politically Weaponized Cases against me be immediately terminated and dismissed. Their Star Witness said everything they did was WRONG and UNLAWFUL! Letitia James and Alvin Bragg broke the Law in order to do this in order to prevent me from becoming the President of the United States. Such a thing can never be allowed to happen again!”
