High-Profile Convictions: Michael Cohen

One of the most prominent figures in Trump's inner circle to face legal trouble is Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal lawyer. In 2018, Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felonies, including tax evasion, bank fraud, and campaign finance violations related to hush-money payments during the 2016 presidential campaign. Cohen's cooperation with federal investigations and his public testimony exposed several troubling aspects of Trump's business practices and campaign conduct.

Other Convictions from Trump's Team

Beyond Michael Cohen, several other members of Trump's inner circle have faced felony convictions. These convictions stem from a variety of legal issues, including obstruction of justice, lying to Congress, and tax-related crimes.

• **Paul Manafort**: Trump's former campaign chairman was convicted on eight counts of tax and bank fraud in 2018. He was sentenced to over seven years in prison before receiving a presidential pardon in 2020.
• **Roger Stone**: A longtime Trump ally and political consultant, Stone was convicted of witness tampering, obstructing a congressional investigation, and making false statements to Congress. He, too, was pardoned by Trump before serving time.

The Impact of Presidential Pardons

While some of Trump's associates served time in prison, many received clemency or full pardons during Trump's final days in office. This controversial use of presidential power raised questions about accountability and whether justice was truly served. Notably, figures like Paul Manafort and Roger Stone, whose convictions were tied to the Mueller investigation, were spared significant portions of their sentences.

Trump’s Role in the January 6th Capitol Insurrection

One of the most significant instances where Trump’s actions were seen as a threat to law enforcement was his role in the January 6th, 2021, Capitol insurrection. On that day, hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, leading to widespread chaos, destruction, and violence. Despite knowing the dangers posed to Capitol police and other law enforcement personnel, Trump did little to quell the rioters. His reluctance to issue an immediate condemnation and his continued promotion of the false narrative that the 2020 election was stolen have been seen as direct incitement.

Over 140 police officers were injured in the attack, with some sustaining severe injuries. Despite this, Trump has consistently downplayed the violence, referring to the rioters as "patriots" and failing to fully acknowledge the harm done to law enforcement during the assault on the Capitol. His actions, or lack thereof, during and after the riot have drawn widespread criticism for not supporting law enforcement officers who were on the front lines that day.

Flouting Legal Norms and Undermining Crime Reduction Efforts

Throughout his time in office, Trump has been criticized for undermining the rule of law and reducing the government’s ability to combat crime. One notable example is his repeated interference in legal matters. Trump’s pardoning of allies like Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, and Roger Stone—individuals convicted of serious crimes like witness tampering, tax fraud, and lying to Congress—has been seen as a signal that loyalty to Trump outweighs accountability under the law.

• By using his pardon power for political allies, Trump weakened public trust in the legal system and hampered efforts to combat white-collar crime.
• His administration’s policies frequently focused on punitive measures, such as the rollback of police reform initiatives aimed at reducing excessive force and improving community relations, stalling progress in crime reduction efforts.

Failure to Support Police Officers Injured on January 6th

One of the most glaring criticisms of Trump’s post-presidency actions has been his ongoing refusal to fully acknowledge or support the police officers injured during the January 6th attack. Despite numerous accounts from officers about the brutal violence they faced, including testimony before Congress, Trump has remained largely silent. Officers like Brian Sicknick, who died following the attack, and others who sustained traumatic injuries, have not received the full measure of support expected from a former president who claimed to be a champion of law enforcement.

This failure to back the Capitol and Metropolitan police, many of whom have described the day as one of the most traumatic experiences of their careers, stands in stark contrast to Trump’s rhetoric of supporting law enforcement. Instead, his focus has been on defending the actions of those who stormed the Capitol and furthering the false narrative of a stolen election.