Gary Cohn Image by Getty Images

By Aiden Pink November 1, 2017

National Economic Council director Gary Cohn is so concerned about getting himself tied up in the probe of Russian involvement in the presidential election that he leaves the room whenever the subject of Russia comes up, Vanity Fair reported Wednesday.

After an indictment against former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was revealed, “advisers in the West Wing are on edge and doing whatever they can not to be ensnared,” reporter Gabriel Sherman wrote.

White House employees think that “For the first time since the investigation began, the prospect of impeachment is being considered as a realistic outcome and not just a liberal fever dream,” he added.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Cohn’s position in the White House has been tenuous ever since he publicly censured President Trump for what Cohn saw as Trump’s inadequate response to the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Cohn, the former president of Goldman Sachs, is no longer considered a candidate to chair the Federal Reserve, which he reportedly wanted.

Cohn admitted in September that he had stayed in the White House after Charlottesville because he was excited about the “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to pursue tax reform. The bill was scheduled to be unveiled Wednesday but was delayed amid reports of Republican infighting about the plan’s particulars.

Contact Aiden Pink at [email protected] or on Twitter, @aidenpink

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount