Michael Cohen, former personal attorney to Donald Trump, startled an MSNBC panel on Saturday by declaring that former FBI Director James Comey “likely committed a crime” in connection to his recent indictment.
Cohen joined MSNBC panelists Elise Jordan, Ayman Mohyeldin and Molly Jong-Fast to discuss the charges against Comey when he delivered the unexpected remarks.
“I believe likely he will be found guilty,” Cohen said during the broadcast.
His statement immediately drew sharp reactions from the other panelists.
“Well, that’s interesting,” Jordan responded, as Cohen pressed further, saying, “I believe likely he committed a crime.”
Jong-Fast reacted with surprise, asking, “Wait, what?”
Cohen elaborated, saying, “I don’t know what that crime is, but there are hundreds of thousands of documents, and the government has each and every one of them, all they need to find is that one.”
He continued, “I’ve been through this system. I know better than anybody what a weaponized DOJ looks like and feels like. It is insurmountable.”
Jordan then questioned Cohen more directly about whether his statement referred to an actual violation of law.
She pointed out that Cohen had personal experience with federal prosecution, as he himself pleaded guilty to multiple charges several years earlier.
Fox News reported that in 2018, Cohen was charged and later pleaded guilty to tax evasion, campaign finance violations, and lying to Congress.
Following his conviction, he cooperated with investigators and went on to testify publicly against Trump, including during Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s hush money trial.
In recent years, Cohen has become a vocal critic of Trump while continuing to speak out on issues surrounding the Department of Justice.
During the exchange, Mohyeldin pressed Cohen to clarify whether he was accusing the Department of Justice of being weaponized only under Trump or throughout history.
Cohen responded that he believed the DOJ had been weaponized by the government for as long as it has existed.
Jordan sought to clarify the point further.
She said, “I think your argument is it was weaponized then, by Comey against Donald Trump. That’s what you’re arguing right now. And so you think that there will be evidence that will show that in court, and so thus validate Donald Trump’s vendetta against James Comey.”
Cohen agreed with Jordan’s summary, replying, “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
Fox added that according to court filings, Comey has been indicted on two felony counts.
The charges include alleged false statements within the jurisdiction of the legislative branch and obstruction of a congressional proceeding.
Comey is scheduled to surrender voluntarily on Friday.
His arraignment is set for 10 a.m. on Oct. 9 in Alexandria Courtroom 600 before District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff.
The indictment follows months of investigation into Comey’s actions as FBI director.
Fox News Digital first reported in July that Comey was under criminal investigation by the FBI.
The investigation focused on Comey’s testimony to Congress on Sept. 30, 2020.
During that appearance, Comey was questioned about his handling of the Trump–Russia probe, known within the FBI as “Crossfire Hurricane.”
“Crossfire Hurricane” began in July 2016 as a counterintelligence investigation into possible connections between Trump campaign associates and Russian officials.
Comey oversaw the early stages of the investigation until his dismissal by Trump in May 2017.
Comey’s firing led to the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, whose investigation continued examining potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.
The probe resulted in multiple indictments of Trump associates but did not establish a conspiracy between Trump and Russia, Fox News highlighted.
Comey’s role in the investigation has remained controversial.
Supporters of Trump have long accused him of political bias, pointing to the FBI’s use of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants during the inquiry.
Critics of Comey also highlighted a Justice Department Inspector General report that found significant errors in the FBI’s FISA applications related to Trump campaign aide Carter Page.
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