Two Former Aides' Guilt Marks a Consequential Day for Trump
*By Carlo Versano*
A reckoning for two of President Trump's former associates occurred almost simultaneously on Tuesday in two separate federal courthouses in Virginia and New York ー what may become one of the most consequential moments for the Trump administration.
Paul Manafort, the president's former campaign manager, was found guilty on eight counts of bank and tax fraud in his federal corruption trial in Washington D.C. The jury was hung on 10 additional counts. The charges do not relate to Manafort's duties as a member of the Trump campaign, though they represent the first conviction by trial in the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.
The verdict arrived just as Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, appeared in New York district court to accept a plea arrangement in the case against him. Cohen, who has been under investigation for tax and bank fraud, has reportedly admitted that he made hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels, among other unrelated charges of fraud. It remains unclear whether Cohen is cooperating with investigators or just accepting an agreement in exchange for a lighter sentence.
Federal investigators raided Cohen's office in April in search of documents and materials related to payments he made to women who alleged they had relationships with the president.
Cohen, a longtime Trump loyalist, only recently began to indicate that his commitment had limits, saying in an [interview] (https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/video/exclusive-president-trumps-personal-attorney-michael-cohen-speaks-56309885) last month that he put his family and country before the president.
Manafort, meanwhile, took his federal case to trial, presented no defense, and after Tuesday's verdict is widely expected to face significant jail time. It is unclear if prosecutors will retry him on the 10 counts. Manafort is awaiting trial in Washington for conspiracy to defraud the U.S.
For more on this story, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/michael-cohen-enters-plea-deal).
Prices at the pump have escalated severely during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Paul Christopher, head of global market strategy, Wells Fargo Investment Institute, joined Cheddar News to explain how he sees the gas prices continuing to spiral despite the International Energy Agency announcing the release of 60 million barrels of oil from the strategic reserves of 31 countries. "We think you could see oil and gas prices continue to rise. Oil prices maybe could hit $140 a barrel. That's possible. And that would add another 50-60 cents on top of the gasoline prices you already have," he said.
President Joe Biden is set to give his first State of the Union address amid both international and domestic crises: the Russia-Ukraine conflict and continued rising inflation and economic worries at home. He's expected to focus on a four-point plan to reduce everyday costs, and promote economic competition, among other key tenets. But will it be enough to persuade Americans that his administration will be able to get rising prices and foreign policy moves under control? Eugene Scott, national politics reporter at The Washington Post, joins Closing Bell to discuss Biden's expected focus, how he will aim to ease Americans' concerns, and more.
Dr. Daniel Bober, psychiatrist and certified addiction medicine physician, joins Cheddar News to offer tips on how parents and guardians can talk to their children about what's happening in Ukraine.
While crypto exchanges have been used to aid Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, critics point to possible sanction evasion on the Russian side using the same technology. Cheddar's Alex Vuocolo takes a closer look.
Airbnb.org has announced that it will provide up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees with free housing. Airbnb.org is the philanthropic branch of Airbnb that provides free housing for those affected by disasters. Joe Gebbia, co-founder and chairman of Airbnb.org, joined Cheddar News to talk about how the company has helped thousands find shelter in times of crisis. "A lot of people are saying this conflict is likely to be the largest humanitarian crisis since World War II, and I believe Airbnb believes that companies have a responsibility to step up and to help out in times like these," he said.
The International Energy Agency’s 31 member countries have agreed to release 60 million barrels of oil from their strategic reserves “to send a strong message to oil markets” that supplies won’t fall short after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Every ten years, there’s a census. That decennial count is long and tedious and arduous…and important. Because it confirms who lives where so the Federal Government properly allocates resources, so services go to the places that need them most and - yes - so states gain or lose seats in congress and have the opportunity to redraw all their state and Congressional lines.
That means, every 10 years, states start what has famously been one of the most partisan and divisive processes in politics. Because one strategic line can mean the difference in party control in not just the state legislatures but also in congress.
Cheddar explains how gerrymandering works and why it exists.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted blood donations leading to severe shortages throughout the country. Chloe Aiello reports on the desperate need for new donors.
Russian forces escalated their attacks on populated urban areas Tuesday, bombarding the central square in Ukraine’s second-largest city and Kyiv’s main TV tower.
