Federal judge rules Cohen's return to prison was retaliation for his Trump book

Reporting and findings

1. ruled unlawful

   Judge Alvin Hellerstein found the purpose of Cohen's remand was retaliatory and that enforcing a condition barring publication of a Trump-critical book violated the First Amendment. He ordered Cohen released to home confinement. The government denied retaliation and said release officials acted because Cohen rejected conditions; the court nevertheless made an adjudicated constitutional ruling.

   • CourtHouse News Service (court order reproduction): Reproduction of Cohen v. Barr transcript and order granting habeas reliefHearing transcript and order: purpose finding, First Amendment analysis, and release remedy
   • Associated Press: Judge orders Michael Cohen released, saying return to prison was retaliatoryRuling, government response, and custody consequence