The Supreme Court’s decision not to review Michael Cohen’s lawsuit against former President Donald Trump marks a significant moment in the ongoing legal saga between the two.
At a Glance
- Supreme Court declines to hear Cohen’s appeal, ending his legal pursuit
- Cohen accused Trump of retaliatory imprisonment for writing a critical book
- Lower courts dismissed the case despite acknowledging potential constitutional concerns
- Decision raises questions about executive authority and First Amendment protections
Supreme Court Rejects Cohen’s Appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear Michael Cohen’s bid to revive his lawsuit against former President Donald Trump and other federal officials. This decision effectively ends Cohen’s legal pursuit, which accused Trump of retaliating against him for writing a book critical of the former president.
Cohen, who once served as Trump’s personal lawyer, sought monetary damages for alleged violations of his constitutional rights, including free speech and protection against illegal seizure and cruel punishment. The lawsuit stemmed from Cohen’s return to prison in 2020 after he was initially released to home confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Supreme Court rejected an appeal Monday from Michael Cohen, who wanted to hold his former boss and ex-president Donald Trump liable for a jailing he said was retaliation for writing a tell-all memoir. https://t.co/NrDsLiv3H7
— PBS News (@NewsHour) October 21, 2024
Legal Implications and Reactions
The Supreme Court’s decision to not review the case maintains the lower court rulings, which dismissed Cohen’s lawsuit despite acknowledging potential constitutional concerns. This outcome has sparked debate among legal experts about the balance between executive power and First Amendment protections.
“This ruling signals a dangerous moment in American democracy. The Supreme Court has stated that the courts will not provide any deterrent for an executive intent on incarcerating its critics in retaliation for their speech.” – Jon-Michael Dougherty
On the other hand, Trump’s legal team celebrated the decision. Alina Habba, representing Trump, dismissed Cohen’s claims as frivolous and desperate, stating that Cohen had exhausted every avenue in his attempts to bring Trump to court.
Michael Cohen's retaliation suit against Trump rejected at Supreme Court https://t.co/U3RrUh7z9K
— Axios (@axios) October 21, 2024
Background of the Case
Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison in 2018 for federal felonies, including campaign finance violations and lying to Congress. He was released to home confinement in May 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but was returned to prison two months later after challenging restrictions on his book’s publication and media communication.
“Michael Cohen has exhausted every avenue of his pathetic attempt to drag my client into court time and time again. As expected, the Supreme Court has correctly denied Michael Cohen’s petition and he must finally abandon his frivolous and desperate claims.” – Alina Habba
A judge later ordered Cohen’s release, finding that he had been targeted with retaliation. Cohen’s book, “Disloyal: A Memoir,” became a bestseller in September 2020. The lawsuit, filed in 2021, claimed Cohen endured severe conditions during his 16-day re-imprisonment.
Implications for Future Cases
The Supreme Court’s decision not to review Cohen’s case may have implications for future legal challenges involving executive authority and free speech. While the court did not provide detailed reasoning for their decision, the outcome suggests a reluctance to intervene in cases that question the boundaries of presidential power and retaliatory actions against critics.
As the legal landscape continues to evolve, this case serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between constitutional rights and executive authority in the American legal system. The decision may influence how similar cases are approached in the future, potentially setting a precedent for how courts handle allegations of retaliation by high-ranking government officials.
Sources:
- Michael Cohen’s retaliation suit against Trump rejected at Supreme Court
- US Supreme Court won’t hear Michael Cohen bid to revive suit against Donald Trump
- Supreme Court won’t revive Michael Cohen’s lawsuit against Trump claiming retaliatory imprisonment
