Cohen recounts 2018 FBI raid on hotel room, office
Michael Cohen testified about the April 9, 2018, FBI raid on his hotel room and office as part of a federal investigation related to the Stormy Daniels matter. At the time, Cohen's apartment was flooded, so he was residing in a hotel.
"At 7 o'clock in the morning, there is a knock on the door and I look through the peephole and I see a ton of people out in the hallway. I saw a badge ... they identified themselves at the FBI," Cohen said.
Cohen told jurors that the FBI seized two phones, a series of tax books, and other records.
"I found out that simultaneously they had also raided my apartment that was under construction, my law office, and my bank that had a safety deposit box I had just opened in order to hold valuables in because I didn't want to keep them in the hotel," he testified.
"How would you describe your life being turned upside down?" prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked.
"Concerned. Despondent. Angry,” Cohen said, describing his response to the raid.
"Were you frightened?" Hoffinger asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Cohen said.
Cohen said that he left a message for Trump after the raid, and received a phone call from Trump.
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"I received a phone call from President Trump in response to me leaving a message for him to call," Cohen said. "I wanted obviously for him to know what was taking place. He said, don't worry, I am the president of the United States -- there is nothing here. Everything is going to be OK. Stay tough. You are going to be OK."
Cohen said Trump's statements at the time" reinforced my loyalty and my intention to stay in the fold." At the time, the Trump Organization was paying his legal fees.
Cohen said this was the last time he spoke to Trump.
Jurors then saw an April 21, 2018, tweet from then-President Trump that referenced the possibility Cohen might "flip" -- i.e., decide to turn on him.
Cohen said he understood those tweets as being directed "to me" -- meant to indicate, "stay in fold, stay loyal, I have you ... don't flip."
"Mr. Trump did not want me to cooperate with the government, certainly not to provide information or flip," Cohen said.