Supreme Court Rejects Cohen's Appeal on Trump's Retaliation Claims
- Michael Cohen accused Donald Trump of retaliating against him after he made comments regarding a tell-all book.
- Cohen's appeal was dismissed by the Supreme Court, affirming previous rulings from lower courts that found his claims lacked merit.
- The decision underscores the difficulties individuals face in suing federal officials, emphasizing the Supreme Court's reluctance to expand legal protections in such cases.
In the United States, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former attorney, on October 21, 2024. Cohen, who had previously been convicted on various charges, claimed that Trump and other federal officials retaliated against him after he published a tell-all book. Cohen's allegations included being taken back into custody and placed in solitary confinement after he sought to interact with the media contrary to an agreement presented to him by probation officials. Lower courts dismissed his lawsuit, citing a lack of merit in his claims, supported by both Trump’s legal team and the Justice Department's assertions. Cohen's situation reflects the significant challenges individuals face when attempting to hold federal officials accountable, especially given the precedent set by the 1971 Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents decision, which limits the ability to sue federal agents. Despite his grievances, Cohen’s suit was deemed outside the mainstream of legal protections available to individuals, leading to the Supreme Court's dismissal without commentary.