Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said Friday he was “irresponsible” in recent remarks dismissing allegations that President Trump directed Michael Cohen to pay hush money to two women to keep them quiet about affairs with the future president.
In a statement released Friday, Hatch walked back his Monday comments to CNN. Hatch, who will retire in early January after 42 years in the Senate, said that his comments were a “poor reflection” of his work to further the “rule of law.”
“Earlier this week in an unplanned hallway interview with CNN, I made comments about allegations against the president that were irresponsible and a poor reflection on my lengthy record of dedication to the rule of law,” Hatch said.
The Utah Republican pointed to his past statements expressing confidence in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation and called for it to continue until completion. He also noted comments in August calling the campaign finance allegations facing the president “serious charges” that “can’t be ignored.”
“But at a time when faith in so many of our institutions is at an all-time low, I regret speaking imprudently,” Hatch added. “I don’t believe the president broke the law, but one of the core principles of our country is that no one is above the law. That means anyone who does break the law should face appropriate consequences.”
Hatch’s comments to CNN earlier in the week came in reaction to filings by the Southern District of New York, which allege that Cohen was directed by Trump to make the payments to keep Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal quiet about alleged affairs with the president.
“The Democrats will do anything to hurt this president,” Hatch told CNN, whose reporter asked if he had any concerns of the allegations. “Okay, but I don’t care; all I can say is he’s doing a good job as president.”
Cohen on Wednesday was sentenced to three years in prison for what he called his “duty to cover up” Trump’s “dirty deeds.”
Hatch, 84, will be succeeded in his Utah Senate seat in January by Republican Mitt Romney.
[Also read: Michael Cohen: Trump ‘does not deserve loyalty’]
