Trump allies worry federal investigations in New York could lead to president’s downfall

Donald Trump's allies warn federal prosecutors in New York 'have no restriction in what they can look at'

Members of Donald Trump’s inner circle have publicly and privately expressed worries that federal investigations underway in the Southern District of New York could spell the beginning of the end for his presidency.

Chris Christie, the former Republican governor of New Jersey and a friend of the president, said in an interview with Fox News on Friday morning the SDNY probes “have no restriction in what they can look at” and have been provided a “tour guide” in Michael Cohen.

Cohen “said he was in constant contact with the Southern District of New York, and that he believes the president committed other crimes but he can’t talk about it because he’s working with the Southern District of New York”, the governor said about Cohen’s explosive public testimony on Capitol Hill earlier this week.

“This is why I’ve said all along that the Southern District is much more worrisome than Mueller,” he continued. “Because they have no restriction in what they can look at.”

The comments arrived after Mr Trump’s former lawyer turned against him in recent months, working with investigators probing the president’s financial dealings and alleged criminal misconduct.

During his testimony to the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, Cohen revealed additional actions and conversations involving Mr Trump were subject to ongoing SDNY probes, and that he was not allowed to discuss his final conversation with the president.

He also submitted a check with Mr Trump’s signature allegedly signed after he took office and meant as reimbursement for hush money payments made to his supposed mistresses along the 2016 presidential campaign trail.

“Mueller has to look at Russia and that’s it, these guys in the Southern District can look at anything and they have two tour guides there, guys, they have Michael Cohen and Rick Gates,” Mr Christie added.

The comments also arrived after Allen Weisselberg, the chief financial officer at the Trump Organisation, was offered immunity to testify against the president and reveal what he knows to SDNY investigators about MR Trump’s alleged crimes.

His testimony would be the “ultimate nightmare scenario for Trump,” an anonymous employee of the president’s organisation told CNN.

“Allen knows where all the financial bodies are buried,” they said. “Allen knows every deal, he knows every dealership, he knows every sale, anything and everything that’s been done — he knows every membership. Anything you can think of.”