Advisers to President Trump believe the corruption investigation into his personal lawyer Michael Cohen are more dangerous to Trump than special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, according to a new report.
Although Trump’s legal team attempted to prevent prosecutors on Friday from reading documents that were obtained by the FBI earlier this week, some of his aides have been hesitant to provide him with advice on how he should proceed because they are concerned they would be pulled into the investigation, the New York Times reports.
Cohen’s office and home were raided by the FBI on Monday, which was reportedly authorized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Cohen is under investigation for potentially committing bank fraud and violating campaign finance rules.
Agents seized computers, phones, and other documents of Cohen’s during the raid. They also sought documents related to adult film star Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal, who have both been involved in legal disputes with Trump because of alleged extramarital affairs. They both claim to have received payments in exchange for their silence.
ABC News reported earlier Friday that recordings of Cohen’s were obtained in the raid, although it is uncertain what was said on the recordings. Cohen often recorded business and political conversations, the Washington Post reports.
The raid has heightened tensions between the White House and the Department of Justice, prompting Trump to complain about the about the “disgraceful” raid and specifically target federal investigators. There has been speculation that Trump might try to oust Rosenstein, who is overseeing the Mueller probe.
Trump, who has called Mueller’s investigation a “witch hunt,” has also reportedly weighed removing Mueller on several occasions.
As a result, lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee are seeking to advance legislation that would prevent Mueller’s ouster. But Trump has said he would have removed Mueller ages ago if he had wanted to and claimed he did not plan to oust the special counsel.
Mueller is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and if the Trump campaign colluded with the Kremlin.
