MSNBC legal analyst tries to make sense of Michael Cohen’s shifting stories on Trump Tower meeting

MSNBC legal analyst Caroline Polisi was both confused and bemused as she tried to make sense of Michael Cohen's abrupt reversal of his allegation that Donald Trump knew about Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. She also praised Robert Mueller's decision to refer the Cohen case to the Southern District of New York.

"It tells me that there's a huge breakdown in communication between Michael Cohen and his attorney, Lanny Davis," Polisi told anchor Chris Jansing. She added, "I can tell you who's not happy about this, the lead criminal defense attorney for Michael Cohen."

Noting Davis's long career as a criminal defense lawyer, both Jansing and Polisi were confused by the decision last week to "go on television and make such a bold statement without having verified" Cohen's claims. "I really saw that on Lanny Davis' part as a real Hail Mary to get at least a sit-down interview with Mueller or the NY prosecutors. It tells me they're not interested in his cooperation," Polisi said, wrinkling her brow.

After Jansing noted that Trump has "no constitutional defenses to what the Southern District is investigating", Polisi commended Mueller's decision to refer the case to New York. "If you look back at Mueller's sort of big grand scheme of things, this is a brilliant move to farm out this piece of the investigation," she said.

"Remember back when President Trump said it would be a red line if Mueller and his team looked into his personal finances?" Polisi added. "Guess what, they're not, it's the Southern District. They have complete rein, regardless of what happens to the special counsel's investigation. A key and smart move on the part of Mueller."

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