A federal judge today ordered former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen released after federal officials put him back into custody for not signing a gag order. PEN America’s Nora Benavidez, director of U.S. free expression programs, said the following:
“We’re pleased that the court today made clear that throwing Michael Cohen back into jail on this basis was clearly unconstitutional. It’s yet again another attempt by this administration to abuse its power and punish critics. Thankfully the courts don’t look too kindly on such blatantly authoritarian moves. In this instance, it is all the more troubling to see federal agents exact reprisals against Cohen through his prison sentence, conditioning his freedom on his silence. We are pleased the court has found such retaliation unconstitutional.”