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The Fixer’s Tool Box, Weaponized

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 13: Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's attorney, chats with friends near the Loews Regency hotel on Park Ave on April 13, 2018 in New York City. Following FBI raids on his home, office and hotel room, the Department of Justice announced that they are placing him under criminal investigation. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 13: Michael Cohen (C), U.S. President Donald Trump's personal attorney, chats with friends near the Loews Regency hotel on Park Ave on April 13, 2018 in New York City. Following FBI raids on his... NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 13: Michael Cohen (C), U.S. President Donald Trump's personal attorney, chats with friends near the Loews Regency hotel on Park Ave on April 13, 2018 in New York City. Following FBI raids on his home, office and hotel room, the Department of Justice announced that they are placing him under criminal investigation. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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December 11, 2018 5:29 p.m.
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We know that a key, maybe the key to Michael Cohen’s job for Donald Trump was making problems go away, most especially making women who had stories to tell – whether consensual sexual encounters or abuse – stay silent. Yesterday I suggested the possibility that this defensive capacity could very easily be weaponized against others. When you consider it, it’s frankly hard to imagine it wouldn’t be. Cohen had close relationships with lawyers for clients with damaging revelations. He had an equally close relationship with The National Enquirer, which is in the business of damaging revelations but seemed willing to subordinate that business to its transactional relationship with Donald Trump.

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