Donald Trump isn't a normal president, but Michael Cohen is a normal Washington sleaze
Jonathan Turley, Opinion columnist Published 12:02 p.m. ET May 10, 2018 | Updated 5:46 p.m. ET May 10, 2018
Democrats expressing shock over Michael Cohen’s profiteering were silent when Bill and Hillary Clinton played the influence game much the same way.
The payment of hundreds of thousands of dollars from AT&T and other companies to Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen is only the latest example of companies “reaching out to touch someone†in Washington. He was not alone.
As Trump pledged to drain the swamp that is Washington, his closest aides were offering virtual swamp tours for companies seeking access. Cohen’s sleazy practices have now ensnared law firms, companies, and the administration itself. It is hardly unique.
The Clinton and Obama administrations yielded millions for insiders cashing in on influence. What is different in this case is that Cohen, who has no appreciable legal skills or particular business acumen, seemed to be selling only access. He is not a lobbyist and barely acknowledged as a lawyer. Like so much of Cohen’s record, it was raw, crude, and unabashedly corrupt. Absent some new evidence, it was also perfectly legal.
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https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/05/10/donald-trump-michael-cohen-hillary-clinton-bill-influence-lobbying-corruption-column/598180002/
