Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s longtime lawyer/fixer, has finally asserted his 5th Amendment rights against self-incrimination in the civil proceeding with adult film star Stormy Daniels.
The money quote is: “Based upon the advice of counsel, I will assert my 5th amendment rights in connection with all proceedings in this case due to the ongoing criminal investigation by the FBI and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.” Cohen is seeking to put a freeze on the defamation lawsuit filed against him by Daniels, and the federal judge handling the case in L.A. had ordered him earlier on Wednesday to submit a declaration pleading the 5th if he wanted to have a chance of getting a stay of the case.
Of course, we know how Trump feels about pleading the 5th because he told us on the campaign trail in 2016:
“The mob takes the Fifth,” he said at an Iowa campaign rally in September. “If you're innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?”
Good question.