WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court rejected an appeal Monday from Michael Cohen, who wanted to hold his former boss ex-president Donald Trump liable for a jailing he said was retaliation for writing a tell-all memoir.
The justices did not detail their reasoning in the brief, routine order released just over two weeks before Election Day when Trump is running for another term.
Cohen had asked the high court to revive a lawsuit tossed out by lower courts. Those judges found the law doesn't generally allow people to seek damages over claims they were jailed for criticizing a president, and that the situation had been dealt with when Cohen was released from custody.
Cohen’s attorney, Jon-Michael Dougherty, said the ruling “signals a dangerous moment in American democracy,” and raises questions about free-speech rights.
Trump attorney Alina Habba said the Supreme Court had correctly denied Cohen's petition, and “he must finally abandon his frivolous and desperate claims.”
Cohen filed the lawsuit after his early release from prison was quickly reversed.
Cohen was serving time after pleading guilty in 2018 to charges connected in part to the payment of hush money to porn actor Stormy Daniels to avoid damage to Trump's 2016 presidential bid.
Cohen said Trump had directed the hush money payment, a contention that later became a key part of the New York trial where Trump was convicted this year.
The former president has denied any wrongdoing.
Cohen got a three-year sentence after pleading guilty, and had served more than a year when he was released in 2020 as authorities worked to contain the coronavirus outbreak in federal prisons.
But he was returned to prison weeks later after authorities claimed he failed to accept certain terms of his release. Cohen said he had asked if a condition forbidding him from speaking with the media and publishing his book could be removed.
He served 16 days in solitary confinement before he was again freed on the orders of a judge who said he’d been jailed in retaliation for his desire to publish a book critical of the president and to discuss it on social media.
Cohen sued Trump and then-Attorney General William Barr, along with various prison and probation officials.
Michael Cohen attends the premiere of "The Apprentice" at the DGA New York Theater on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here.
Patrick Mahomes is having his worst season statistically and the Chiefs keep losing playmakers to injuries.
The two-time defending Super Bowl champions are 6-0 anyway.
Kansas City is the NFL’s only unbeaten team following an ugly 28-18 victory over San Francisco in a Super Bowl rematch on Sunday that looked more like a preseason game.
Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP, threw two picks and posted a career-worst 44.4 passer rating against the 49ers, but he made enough plays, including a nifty 33-yard run, to lead the Chiefs to their 12th straight win, dating to last year.
Mahomes has more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns (six) this season and a career-low 82.5 passer rating. But a stingy defense and a strong run game has led the way for Kansas City, which lost cornerback Jaylen Watson and receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to injuries in the latest win.
The Chiefs already are without No. 1 receiver Rashee Rice and top running back Isiah Pacheco, plus Marquise “Hollywood” Brown has yet to play.
Still, the Chiefs continue winning. It’s a testament to coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
“It’s about us getting better throughout the year and how we can keep getting better from our previous game to now,” Travis Kelce said. “There’s a lot of doubters in terms of what we can do offensively right now with the guys that we’ve got and I think we showed everybody that we can put up points today.”
Unlike Kansas City, Brock Purdy and the 49ers (3-4) haven’t overcome a slew of injuries to several key players. They’ve been inconsistent, mistake-prone and hardly resemble the team that reached the NFC title game each of the past three seasons.
Purdy tossed three interceptions against Kansas City and had a career-worst 36.7 passer rating.
Now, the 49ers have to deal with another major blow. Receiver Brandon Aiyuk sustained a knee injury that coach Kyle Shanahan fears is a season-ending torn ligament. Deebo Samuel was limited to four snaps against Kansas City because of an illness and Jauan Jennings was sidelined with a hip injury. All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey hasn’t played this season.
“Is there more pressure for me to put on a Superman cape and do more? No,” Purdy said. “I think who we have and the players that we have that step up in those positions, they’ve done a great job and we have a lot of talent in my eyes. That’s on me and we’ll just all continue to grow and fight on this journey together.”
Deshaun Watson is finished for the season. Jayden Daniels’ sensational rookie year is on hold. Aidan O’Connell is out, too.
There were several significant injuries across the league.
Watson torn his Achilles tendon in Cleveland’s loss to Cincinnati, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday. The Browns (1-6) made the playoffs last year after Watson went down for the season, but they have no chance this season.
Daniels, who is having an exceptional rookie season, injured his ribs in Washington’s rout over Carolina. He is scheduled for tests on Monday, but the NFC East-leading Commanders (5-2) should get him back at some point.
O’Connell left his first start of the season because of a thumb injury and the Raiders lost to the Rams. He’ll be out indefinitely as Las Vegas (2-5) goes back to Gardner Minshew.
The NFC North still goes through Detroit.
Jared Goff had another stellar game to lead the Lions (5-1) to a 31-29 victory in Minnesota, handing the Vikings their first loss of the season.
Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs were sensational in the NFC North showdown and Detroit's defense stepped up in its first game without Aidan Hutchinson.
Many analysts, including former players, questioned Mike Tomlin’s decision to start Russell Wilson after Justin Fields helped the Steelers start 4-2.
Wilson silenced the doubters with an impressive performance in his Pittsburgh debut.
Shaking off early rust in his first start since last Dec. 24, Wilson threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns, ran for a score and posted a 109.0 passer rating to lead the Steelers (5-2) to a 37-15 win over the New York Jets.
Wilson, who lacks Fields’ speed and scrambling ability, threw several perfect deep balls and lobs to George Pickens and other receivers.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, left, cannot catch a pass while being defended by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
On Football: Crafty Chiefs keep winning despite Mahomes' struggles and injuries
On Football: Crafty Chiefs keep winning despite Mahomes' struggles and injuries
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates after a touchdown by Mecole Hardman during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
