Former President Donald Trump is planning to take military action to target his opponents if he regains the White House, according to his ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen. In an interview on MSNBC Sunday, Cohen issued a stark warning about Trump’s intentions.
Cohen, who served as Trump’s personal attorney before turning critic, stated, “The big warning that I want people to understand is: When Donald Trump says something, stop sane-washing it. Stop trying to make it into something which has some normalcy to it. What he says, he intends to do.” He specifically referenced Trump’s past comments about using military forces like SEAL Team Six to “round up” critics, asserting that such statements should not be downplayed.
“When he turns around and says gentle, you know, like the head of his network or other people who are critics, that he intends to use SEAL Team Six or the military within which to round up his critics or his opponents, he intends to do it. And I say that with firsthand experience.”
Cohen’s remarks come on the heels of his own legal troubles, having served three years in prison for federal campaign finance violations and recently testifying against Trump. He has become increasingly vocal about his concerns regarding Trump’s potential return to power, suggesting he may need to leave the country if Trump wins the election.
His comments echo previous statements from Trump’s legal team, which controversially argued in January that Trump should be immune from prosecution, even if he directed military action against political rivals.
Cohen also criticized some Republican leaders for their unwavering loyalty to Trump, particularly regarding the legitimacy of the 2020 election results. He noted a divide within the party, with many Republicans seeking unity while Trump continues to promote divisive rhetoric.
In a recent vice presidential debate, Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio), declined to confirm whether Trump lost the 2020 election, stating instead that he was “focused on the future.”
Check Cohen’s remarks in the clip below:
Michael Cohen was one of the people closest to Trump throughout his career. When he speaks we should listen:
"and when he turns around and says… that he intends to use Seal Team 6 or the Military, in which to round up his critics or his opponent, he intends to do it, and I say… pic.twitter.com/L4nLcSHGCw
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) October 7, 2024