President Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, whose home and office were raided Monday by the FBI, said the search was “upsetting,” but agents involved were “professional.”
“I am unhappy to have my personal residence and office raided. But I will tell you that members of the FBI that conducted the search and seizure were all extremely professional, courteous, and respectful. And I thanked them at the conclusion,” Cohen told CNN on Tuesday.
Cohen’s comments represent a departure from the those made by Trump; he said the FBI agents “broke into the office of one my personal attorneys” and called the raid “an attack on our country.”
The FBI gathered documents related to Cohen’s payment of $130,000 in hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has been involved in a legal battle with Trump over an alleged extramarital affair. Just before the 2016 election she signed a nondisclosure agreement and was paid by Cohen.
Additionally, Cohen is under investigation for possibly committing bank fraud and violating campaign finance rules, according to the Washington Post.
“I would be lying to you if I told you that I am not,” Cohen said when asked if he was worried. “Do I need this in my life? No. Do I want to be involved in this? No.”
The raid was overseen by the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, and was reportedly authorized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstien is also overseeing special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe.
The raid prompted Trump to condemn federal investigators.
“This is ridiculous. This is now getting ridiculous,” Trump told reporters on Monday. “I think it’s a disgrace what’s going on. Many people have said you should fire [special counsel Robert Mueller]. Again, they found nothing. And in finding nothing, that’s a big statement.”
Just last week, Trump has denied he knew anything concerning Cohen’s payment to Daniels and referred reporters to Cohen.
“You’ll have to ask Michael Cohen,” Trump said in his first public comments on the Daniels controversy. “Michael is my attorney. You’ll have to ask Michael.”
Daniels filed a lawsuit earlier this year claiming the nondisclosure agreement she signed is invalid because it did not include Trump’s signature. She amended the lawsuit last month, arguing Cohen’s payment violated campaign finance laws because it was an in-kind campaign donation and was not reported.
Through White House spokespeople, Trump has denied being involved in an extramarital affair with Daniels.
