On Monday, it was nothing but bad news for Donald Trump and his longtime personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, in the ongoing saga of not just Stormy Daniels, but Cohen’s assistance to Trump, related to the special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

First, the New York Times broke the story that the FBI had raided Cohen’s offices, seizing tax documents, business records, and even text messages between Cohen and Trump. Then, NBC’s Katy Tur revealed that the FBI was also stationed at the hotel room where Cohen has been staying.

Now the Washington Post says that its sources can exclusively reveal that Cohen is officially being investigated for possible bank fraud and campaign finance violations, likely a product of the $130,000 “hush money” payment made to the adult film star whose affair with Donald Trump in 2006 Cohen improperly attempted to cover up — a payment that Trump now says he knew nothing about.

From the Post article:

Among the documents seized were privileged communications between Cohen and his clients — including those with Trump, according to a person familiar with the investigators’ work. Investigators took Cohen’s computer, phone and personal financial records as part of the search of his office at Rockefeller Center, the person said.

NBC’s Robert Costa has been reporting for the last hour on the unfolding drama, and it appears that the White House has no idea how to respond to what’s happened:

Calling around the president’s circle. His allies are taken aback. Rattled. Worry the president has a small legal team that lacks a heavy hitter. Worry that Mueller is making big moves and, in essence, prodding the president to finally sit down for an interview…

— Robert Costa (@costareports) April 9, 2018

Briefly reached a WH official. Official said the WH doesn’t have a strategy for the Comey book. Paused. Then said that should answer my question of what’s the strategy for dealing with Cohen news.

— Robert Costa (@costareports) April 9, 2018

WH POOL REPORT 6:19 P.M.
Trump addressed the Cohen raid at the top of the military leadership meeting.
Quick comments: “it’s a disgraceful situation.”
“I have this witch hunt constantly going on.”
“It’s an attack on our country… what we all stand for.”

— Robert Costa (@costareports) April 9, 2018

This is a breaking story and will be updated as necessary.

Featured image via New Century Times Gallery