Donald Trump hinted on Wednesday that he might consider pardoning Michael Cohen, his former lawyer and close aide, who testified against him in court and before Congress. Trump said he would consider granting clemency if all the facts check out. These comments were made as Trump prepared to attend the Republican National Committee's midterm convention in Dallas, an event he requested to position himself at the center of the party's campaign ahead of the November elections. Cohen was also present at the convention, live-streaming for his radio show. Cohen had previously submitted a pardon application to the White House after being denied one by Joe Biden’s administration. However, he has not personally approached Trump for a pardon. In past statements, Cohen said he felt "pressured and coerced" into testifying against Trump but has not fully recanted his testimony. He has expressed a desire to move past the long-standing conflict between them. Trump acknowledged that he had "rectified the situation" in a recent public reconciliation, following an unexpected rapprochement when Trump joined Cohen’s radio show. Cohen noted that he and Trump had "traveled a pretty rocky road together." This marks a significant shift in their relationship, which had been tense after Cohen’s testimony against Trump. Cohen was once one of Trump’s most loyal allies, serving as his personal lawyer and fixer during the 2016 presidential election. However, he later pleaded guilty to federal crimes, including arranging a $130,000 hush payment to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election and lying under oath to Congress. He received a three-year prison sentence and served over a year in jail. After his release, Cohen became a vocal critic of Trump, using his podcast and social media to criticize the president. In 2024, Cohen testified at Trump’s criminal trial in New York, where he discussed the hush money payment. The jury convicted Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Trump has denied wrongdoing and is appealing his conviction. A presidential pardon could potentially eliminate some of the federal consequences of Cohen’s past convictions.