Donald Trump is a champion for legal immigrants.

In this quote, Michael Cohen is defending Donald Trump, describing him as a champion for legal immigrants. Cohen’s statement suggests that, despite Trump’s often controversial stance on immigration, particularly regarding illegal immigration, he believes Trump has shown support for those who enter the United States through legal channels. Cohen is likely trying to portray Trump as someone who distinguishes between legal and illegal immigration, emphasizing that he supports the former while addressing concerns about the latter.

The origin of this quote can be traced to Cohen’s relationship with Trump during his time as Trump’s personal lawyer. Cohen often defended Trump’s policies and public statements, particularly in the context of Trump’s presidential campaign and his subsequent time in office. Cohen’s comment is part of his broader effort to support Trump’s policies, even when those policies were highly contentious, especially among immigrant communities.

Cohen’s reference to Trump as a “champion for legal immigrants” reflects an attempt to soften the image of Trump’s immigration policies, which many critics saw as harsh, especially towards undocumented immigrants. By highlighting Trump’s support for legal immigration, Cohen is framing him as someone who respects and values those who follow the legal pathways to citizenship or residency.

Ultimately, this quote serves as a political defense of Trump’s stance on immigration. It attempts to position him as someone who, while critical of illegal immigration, supports the principle of allowing legal immigrants to enter and contribute to the U.S. economy and society. However, the accuracy and sincerity of this claim were often debated during Trump’s presidency, as many viewed his policies as restrictive and not always supportive of legal immigrants.