Donald Trump calls for ex-lawyer Michael Cohen to be jailed

Once his closest confidant, a furious Donald Trump has turned his wrath on his former lawyer Michael Cohen, after explosive revelations.

US President Donald Trump has called for a “a long prison term” after his ex-lawyer Michael Cohen admitted lying to Congress about pursuing a real estate deal with Russia on Mr Trump’s behalf during the 2016 election campaign.

“You mean he can do all of the TERRIBLE, unrelated to Trump, things having to do with fraud, big loans, Taxis, etc, and not serve a long prison term?” the US President said on Twitter.

“He lied for this outcome and should, in my opinion, serve a full and complete sentence,” Mr Trump added.

US President Donald Trump is furious with his former lawyer. Picture: AAP

Late last week, lawyers for Mr Cohen, said he should be spared prison for crimes he committed in an abundance of enthusiasm for his ex-boss, and they portrayed him to a judge as a hero for co-operating in a probe Mr Trump has “regularly questioned publicly and stridently.”

The lawyers said in court papers filed in New York that Mr Cohen, 52, has co-operated extensively with special counsel Robert Mueller and New York State investigators who brought a civil lawsuit against the Trump Organisation and individuals, including Mr Trump.

They cited the fact he met with Mr Mueller’s team in “seven voluntary interview meetings” that began even before he pleaded guilty on August 21 to campaign finance and bank frauds, among other charges, and continued through late November.

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Michael Cohen has made a deal with prosecutors. Picture: AP

He pleaded guilty last week to lying to Congress, a charge that his lawyers said resulted in part from information he voluntarily provided Mr Mueller’s team in meetings governed by a limited-use immunity agreement.

“Michael’s decision to co-operate and take full responsibility for his own conduct well reflects his personal resolve, notwithstanding past errors, to re- point his internal compass true north toward a productive, ethical and thoroughly law abiding life,” his lawyers wrote.

They say he’ll continue to co-operate, though he wants to be sentenced as scheduled on December 12 so he can return to providing for his family.

Special counsel Robert Mueller. Picture: AP

Besides his co-operation with Mr Mueller, Mr Cohen has also provided the New York State Attorney-General’s office with documents “concerning a separate open inquiry,” the lawyers wrote. They said he also has provided information to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.