2018: The Year of Cracks, Scandals, and the Slow-Motion Collapse
"Investigations Heat Up, Corruption Gets Exposed, and the Walls Start Closing In"
By 2018, the chaos of Trump’s presidency was no longer just spectacle—it was a legal liability.
The administration spent the year lurching from scandal to scandal, desperately dodging subpoenas, and watching allies crumble under federal investigations. The Mueller probe was gaining steam, Michael Cohen turned state’s witness, and Trump himself was implicated in campaign finance violations, obstruction of justice, and hush money payoffs.
Meanwhile, humanitarian disaster unfolded at the border, with children ripped from their parents, locked in cages, and used as political bargaining chips in an immigration crisis manufactured entirely by Trump’s administration.
And in Helsinki? Trump stood next to Vladimir Putin and threw U.S. intelligence under the bus—on the world stage.
If 2017 was about Trump testing the limits of power, 2018 was about what happens when the law starts catching up.
Here’s how the year played out.
January 1, 2018:
Zero Tolerance Immigration Policy Implemented
Event: The Trump administration officially enacts the "Zero Tolerance" policy, mandating the prosecution of all individuals crossing the U.S. border illegally.
Significance: This policy leads to the separation of thousands of migrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border, sparking widespread outrage, legal challenges, and significant humanitarian concerns.
April 3, 2018:
Michael Cohen Testifies Before Congress
Event: Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's personal attorney, testifies before the House Oversight Committee, discussing his role in arranging hush money payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal.
Significance: Cohen's testimony provides critical insights into Trump's business practices and potential violations of campaign finance laws, intensifying investigations into the Trump Organization.
April 9, 2018: Michael Cohen's Raid
Event: The FBI raids the office and home of Michael Cohen, Trump's personal lawyer, as part of an investigation into hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
Significance: The raid signifies escalating legal scrutiny of Trump's inner circle and the potential for uncovering evidence of campaign finance violations and other illicit activities.
May 8, 2018:
Justice Department Seeks to Reopen Russia Investigation
Event: FBI Director Christopher Wray announces that the Justice Department plans to reopen parts of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, specifically focusing on new evidence.
Significance: This decision underscores the ongoing concerns about Russian influence in U.S. elections and the Trump campaign's potential involvement, maintaining momentum for the Mueller investigation.
June 1, 2018:
Michael Flynn's Guilty Plea
Event: Michael Flynn, former National Security Advisor, pleads guilty to lying to the FBI about his communications with the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak.
Significance: Flynn's plea deal reveals attempts by high-ranking officials to conceal interactions with Russian entities, raising further questions about obstruction of justice within the Trump administration.
July 16, 2018: Trump Meets Putin in Helsinki
Event: President Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland. During a joint press conference, Trump appears to side with Putin over U.S. intelligence agencies regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Significance: The meeting draws bipartisan criticism, with many accusing Trump of undermining U.S. intelligence and appearing to condone Russian actions, thereby straining U.S.-Russia relations and fueling suspicions of favoritism toward Putin.
August 21, 2018: Michael Cohen Pleads Guilty
Event: Michael Cohen pleads guilty to multiple charges, including tax evasion, bank fraud, and campaign finance violations related to hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal.
Significance: Cohen's guilty plea directly implicates President Trump in potential campaign finance violations, suggesting that hush money payments were made to influence the 2016 election, thereby intensifying legal and political pressures on the president.
September 2018:
Special Counsel Robert Mueller Subpoenas Facebook
Event: Special Counsel Robert Mueller issues subpoenas to Facebook, seeking information about Russian operatives' activities on the platform during the 2016 election.
Significance: This action highlights the role of social media in Russian disinformation campaigns and the importance of digital platforms in electoral integrity, expanding the scope of the Mueller investigation.
October 17, 2018: Stormy Daniels Sues Trump
Event: Stormy Daniels files a defamation lawsuit against President Trump, claiming that he defamed her by denying her allegations of an affair.
Significance: The lawsuit brings additional legal challenges to Trump, as Daniels' allegations and subsequent legal actions contribute to the ongoing scrutiny of Trump's personal and professional conduct.
December 8, 2018: Trump Foundation Shut Down
Event: The New York Attorney General files a lawsuit to dissolve the Trump Foundation, alleging that it engaged in illegal conduct, including using charitable funds for personal and political expenses.
Significance: The dissolution of the Trump Foundation marks a significant legal setback for Trump, reinforcing allegations of financial impropriety and misuse of charitable assets, and further tarnishing his public image.
December 19, 2018: Michael Cohen Sentenced
Event: Michael Cohen is sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to campaign finance violations, tax evasion, and bank fraud.
Significance: Cohen's sentencing emphasizes the legal consequences faced by Trump associates and underscores the seriousness of the investigations into campaign finance abuses and corruption within the administration.
December 2018: Special Counsel Report Draft Released
Event: A draft of the Special Counsel Mueller Report is leaked, revealing key findings and recommendations regarding Russian interference and potential obstruction of justice by President Trump.
Significance: The leaked draft heightens anticipation and controversy surrounding the final report, influencing public opinion and political strategies as the investigation progresses toward its conclusion.
Key Controversies and Legal Issues in 2018
Hush Money Payments and Campaign Finance Violations:
Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal Payments: Michael Cohen arranges payments to silence allegations of affairs, leading to charges of campaign finance violations as these payments are construed as in-kind contributions to influence the election.
Obstruction of Justice:
Firing James Comey: Trump's dismissal of FBI Director James Comey raises suspicions of attempts to impede investigations into Russian interference and potential collusion.
Michael Flynn's Plea: Flynn's guilty plea regarding his lies to the FBI about communications with Russian officials adds to concerns about obstruction within the Trump administration.
Russian Interference and Collusion Investigations:
Mueller Investigation: Robert Mueller's appointment and the subsequent expansion of the investigation into Russian interference, collusion, and obstruction of justice remain central to the year's controversies.
Senate Intelligence Committee Activities: The Senate Intelligence Committee continues its efforts to uncover the extent of Russian interference and any links to the Trump campaign, contributing to the broader investigation landscape.
Immigration Policies and Family Separation:
Zero Tolerance Policy: The administration's enforcement of strict immigration measures, including family separations, generates widespread backlash, legal challenges, and humanitarian concerns.
Sanctions and Diplomatic Actions Against Russia:
Imposition of Sanctions: The Trump administration enacts various sanctions against Russian individuals and entities in response to election interference, cyberattacks, and geopolitical aggressions.
Diplomatic Expulsions: Reciprocal expulsions of diplomats between the U.S. and Russia exacerbate tensions, highlighting the adversarial nature of bilateral relations.
Media Relations and Defamation Claims:
Hostility Towards the Press: Trump's frequent denouncements of the media as "fake news" and "the enemy of the people" contribute to a contentious relationship with journalists and media outlets.
Defamation Lawsuits: Legal actions filed by Trump against media figures and outlets for perceived defamation claims add to the administration's legal battles and public relations challenges.
Economic Policies and Regulatory Rollbacks:
Tax Cuts and Deregulation: Trump's implementation of significant tax cuts and deregulation efforts aim to stimulate economic growth but face opposition regarding their long-term fiscal impact and benefits distribution.
Trade Negotiations: The administration's approach to renegotiating trade deals, such as NAFTA (renamed USMCA), affects international relations and domestic industries.
Additional Context and Significance
Judicial Appointments:
Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court: In April 2017 (extending into 2018), Trump appoints Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, significantly shifting the court's ideological balance. Gorsuch's rulings and judicial philosophy impact key legal decisions throughout the year.
Healthcare Reform Attempts:
Repeal and Replace Efforts: Throughout 2018, the Trump administration makes several attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), facing significant legislative hurdles and public opposition, although these efforts gain momentum into subsequent years.
COVID-19 Pandemic Onset:
Early Response Planning: By late 2018, discussions and planning around pandemic preparedness begin, setting the stage for the administration's response to COVID-19 in 2020.
Environmental Policy Changes:
Rollback of Environmental Regulations: The Trump administration continues to roll back numerous environmental protections established under previous administrations, focusing on deregulation to promote industrial growth.
Conclusion
The year 2018 was a pivotal period in Donald Trump's presidency, characterized by escalating legal challenges, intensified investigations into Russian interference and potential collusion, and significant policy shifts. Key events such as the FBI raid on Michael Cohen, the Helsinki summit with Vladimir Putin, and the dissolution of the Trump Foundation highlight the multifaceted controversies that defined the administration. These events not only intensified scrutiny of Trump's actions and his associates but also set the stage for ongoing investigations and legal battles that would continue to shape the political landscape in subsequent years.
Understanding the timeline and context of 2018 is essential for comprehending the complexities of Trump's presidency, the dynamics of U.S.-Russia relations, and the broader implications for American governance and democratic integrity. For a more in-depth exploration of these events, consider consulting the following resources:
Mueller Report: Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election
Senate Intelligence Committee Reports: Report on Russian Active Measures Campaigns and Interference in the 2016 U.S. Election
Books:
"The Russia Hoax" by Gregg Jarrett
"Fire and Fury" by Michael Wolff
News Outlets: