Re: State of the Union - pre/post election & whatever...
McKinstry wrote:I don't see any of them that Trump has violated
Cohen plead guilty to a campaign finance law violation for paying Stormy Daniels. A US Federal Court acknowledged his plea and thus per se, a law was violated and Cohen stands, today, a convicted Federal felon. In his plea, "the candidate" was specifically stated as the knowing beneficiary of that campaign finance law violation and co-conspirator.
It is a legitimate issue of law as to whether a sitting President can be indicted. It is however factual that the Draftdodger is at this point, an unindicted co-conspirator for that particular violation.
Cohen pleading guilty to something that is not a crime based on wording given to him to say as a part of a plea deal does not make what he did a crime. It isn't. The reason is that for it to have been a campaign finance law violation, the item in question needs to be uniquely tied to the campaign and would not have otherwise occurred. Just like settling a lawsuit, buying ads for your business or getting a haircut, all of those things could reasonably be expected to occur to improve one's image in the world. Were he just Trump the businessman, he would very likely been just as eager to not have that information get out, hence not unique to the campaign, hence no campaign violation. Dershowitz is but one of a number of lawyers and legal experts, of whom I do not claim to be, who have provided that same explanation. Sorry.
Find another one to try.