Trump has been implicated in several federal crimes, but here's why experts say he hasn't faced legal consequences

Trump has shifted from denying any knowledge of the payments Cohen made to characterizing them as a "private transaction," rejecting the notion he did anything illegal.

Since the special counsel Robert Mueller began investigating Russian election interference and the accusations that the Trump campaign colluded with the country, President Donald Trump has vehemently rejected the notion he did anything remotely illegal in relation to the 2016 election.

But federal prosecutors implicated Trump in felonies for the first time last week, stating he directed illegal payments to two women, with whom he is accused of having affairs, in an effort to protect his presidential campaign.

A sentencing memorandum released by prosecutors for the Southern District of New York on Friday said the president's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, made the illicit payments " target="_blank"in coordination with and at the direction" of Trump. Cohen was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison.

Cohen had previously implicated Trump in the illegal payments, which represent campaign-finance violations because they were intended to influence the election, when he pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges in August. But Friday's filing takes things a big step forward, given federal prosecutors endorsed Cohen's allegations against Trump.

"With respect to both payments, Cohen acted with the intent to influence the 2016 presidential election," the filing stated. "Cohen coordinated his actions with one or more members of the campaign, including through meetings and phone calls, about the fact, nature, and timing of the payments ... And as Cohen himself has now admitted, with respect to both payments, he acted in coordination with and at the direction of Individual-1."

The memo added, "As a result of Cohen's actions, neither woman spoke to the press prior to the election."

"Individual-1" is Trump, and Friday's memo puts him in an uncomfortable position as federal prosecutors have connected him to serious crimes. But there is a difference between being implicated in crimes and being formally accused of or charged with committing a crime.

The US Constitution does not say a sitting president cannot be indicted. BusinessInsider

According to legal experts, perhaps the only reason Trump has not been charged with a crime is the fact he is president.

Similarly, Asha Rangappa, a

Trump has been implicated in several federal crimes, but here's why experts say he hasn't faced legal consequences

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