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As it happenedended

Mueller investigation - live: Michael Cohen gave information about Russian attempts to reach Trump campaign dating back to 2015

Robert Mueller says Cohen has cooperated with his investigation and so does not ask for any extra jail time

Clark Mindock
New York
,Chris Riotta
Saturday 08 December 2018 00:11 GMT
Comments
Head of Special Counsel investigation Robert Mueller
Head of Special Counsel investigation Robert Mueller (Getty)

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Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have asked a judge to sentence former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen to a “substantial term of imprisonment” for paying an adult film star hush money on the president's behalf and evading taxes.

Earlier in the day Mr Trump has attacked Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe, although Mr Mueller and his team asked for no extra prison time for Cohen for lying to federal investigators, citing Cohen's cooperation with his investigation.

New court documents are also expected flesh out the case against Mr Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort.

Mr Mueller’s team has accused Manafort of breaching a plea bargain agreement by lying to prosecutors – something Manafort has denied – and he has submitted information on those alleged lies.

Elsewhere, the former head of the FBI James Comey – a frequent target for attacks from Mr Trump – took part in a behind-closed-doors hearing with two congressional committees on decisions made by the Justice Department during the 2016 presidential election.

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Hello and welcome to our coverage of what could a big day for President Donald Trump.

Mr Trump has started early, furiously tweeting all morning about Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

Chris Stevenson7 December 2018 16:21

As well as his usual claims that the investigation - which is looking at Russian election meddling in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion between Trump campaign officials and Russia - is a "witch hunt" Mr Trump has also personally attacked Mr Mueller and former FBI director James Comey.

 

Chris Stevenson7 December 2018 16:36

It comes on the day that new court documents from Mr Mueller's team  will flesh out the cases against Mr Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort and his former long-time personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen.

Mr Mueller’s team has accused Manafort of breaching a plea bargain agreement by lying to prosecutors - something Manafort has denied - and he will submit information on those alleged lies.

​Meanwhile, the US Attorney from the Southern District of New York are to file sentencing memos on Cohen who has admitting to lying to Congress.

Chris Stevenson7 December 2018 16:37

Elsewhere, Mr Comey is undertaking behind-closed-doors interviews with two congressional committees on decisions made by the Justice Department during the 2016 presidential election.

Chris Stevenson7 December 2018 16:38

In response to the new documents expected from Mr Mueller, Mr Trump has said that a response to the findings is already being written - before the Russia probe report is even finished.

Chris Stevenson7 December 2018 16:44

Outside of the Mueller probe and its various offshoots, there are reports that Mr Trump's chief of staff John Kelly is set to resign soon.

Chris Stevenson7 December 2018 16:52

CNN is also reporting that Mr Mueller's team have interviewed Mr Kelly as part of the investigation into whether Mr Trump has obstructed the federal probe.

Chris Stevenson7 December 2018 16:59

Plenty of media interest in what James Comey might be telling Congress, with a few hours of testimony left in his behind-closed-doors interviews with two committees:

 

Chris Stevenson7 December 2018 17:06

As for Mr Trump, he is currently in Kansas and will deliver remarks on safety in about 30 mins.

From the pool: THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at the 2018 Project Safe Neighborhoods National Conference

Chris Stevenson7 December 2018 17:18

CNN has reported exclusively White House Chief of Staff John Kelly was questioned by Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team of investigators in recent months surrounding the counsel’s probe into the president’s potential obstruction of justice. 

According to the network, “Kelly is widely expected to leave his position in the coming days and is no longer on speaking terms with President Donald Trump.”

The questions presented to the chief of staff were reportedly “narrow,” involving the president’s attempts to fire the special counsel.

Chris Riotta7 December 2018 17:34

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