Trump’s Former Attorney General Set To Be Transferred From Prison To House Arrest
Photo Courtesy of Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters
Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, is set to be released from prison to home confinement today on account of the government violating his First Amendment rights.
In 2018, Cohen received a sentence of three years in prison for campaign violations and lying to Senate. “I felt it was my duty to cover up his dirty deeds,” said Cohen in an article with The New York Times. He participated in buying the silence of two women who allegedly had affairs with Trump. Cohen’s intentions with the illegal acts were to increase Trump’s chances of winning the 2016 Presidential election.
While in prison, Cohen focused on writing a book revealing what he felt obligated to do under Trump’s administration, no matter the legality or morality of the situation. In June, Cohen spent time in solitary confinement quarantining before being released to the public. However, on July 9 he was taken into custody for violating terms for his early release.
According to CNN, Cohen’s attorney, Jeffery Levine, mentioned that he was presented an agreement restricting any communication with the media, including the book that Cohen is working on.
U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein said that Cohen’s First Amendment rights were violated when he was forced to go back to prison after refusing to sign the form banning him from publishing the book. This isn’t the first time the Trump administration tried to silence someone attempting to speak out against them.
Judge Hellerstein felt that the only reason he was presented the document was out a retaliatory attack. Like all American citizens, Cohen is protected by the First Amendment which grants him freedom of speech. He should be legally able to publish the book regarding Trump’s political career, but it’s presumed that the probation officers were trying to prevent Cohen from exposing the wrongdoings he’s witnessed with Trump.
The judge ordered for Cohen to be released to home confinement “by 2 p.m. ET Friday after he takes a test for the coronavirus,” according to Kara Scannell. On Monday, Cohen sued prison officials and William Barr, attorney general for Trump, for infringing upon his constitutional rights.
The book, that will discuss Trump’s personal affairs and business ethics, is still in the works. Cohen hopes to release it before the election in November in efforts to bring awareness to the reelection of Donald J. Trump.