Grand jury hears from potential final Trump probe witness
NEW YORK — A grand jury heard from a potential final witness Monday in the investigation into Donald Trump as law enforcement officials accelerated security preparations in advance of a possible indictment and as fellow Republicans staked out positions in a criminal probe expected to shake up the 2024 presidential race.
The testimony from Robert Costello, a lawyer who had a falling out with the key government witness in the Trump investigation, came as the grand jury that for months has been investigating Mr. Trump over hush money paid to a porn star during his 2016 campaign appeared to be wrapping up its work.
Mr. Costello was invited to appear after saying he had information raising questions about the credibility of Michael Cohen, a key witness in the investigation who has appeared multiple times before the grand jury. Mr. Costello’s testimony was expected to give the former president an indirect opportunity to make a case that he shouldn’t face criminal charges, although there were no clear signs his appearance had changed the course of the grand jury probe.
Cohen had been available for over two hours to rebut the testimony but was not needed, his attorney said Monday.
Mr. Costello had provided Cohen, himself a lawyer, legal services several years ago. In a news conference after his grand jury appearance, he told reporters that he had come forward to provide exculpatory information about Mr. Trump and to make clear that he did not believe Cohen, who pleaded guilty to federal crimes and served time in prison, could be trusted.
“If they want to go after Donald Trump and they have solid evidence then so be it,” Mr. Costello said. “But Michael Cohen is far from solid evidence.”
Responding to Mr. Costello’s claims on MSNBC later Monday, Cohen said that Mr. Costello was never his lawyer.
The testimony came two days after Mr. Trump said he expected to face criminal charges and urged supporters to protest his possible arrest. In a series of social media posts through the weekend, the former Republican president criticized the New York investigation, directing particularly hostile rhetoric toward Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat.
It’s not clear when prosecutors might wrap up their work, but law enforcement in New York has been making physical preparations for any unrest surrounding a possible indictment. In the morning, a New York Police Department truck began dropping off portable metal barricades that could be used to block off streets or sidewalks.