Biography Examines Roy Cohn's Impact on American Power and Trump

Why it matters locally: As the nation's capital, District of Columbia is consistently at the epicenter of federal political discourse, making analyses of figures who shaped American power, like Roy Cohn, particularly relevant for residents engaged in or affected by national politics.

Kai Bird's new book, "American Scoundrel," details Roy Cohn's career and his sustained influence on American politics. Cohn operated in centers of American power for decades. Bird's biography tracks Cohn's professional life, beginning with his work for Senator Joseph McCarthy. Cohn later functioned as a lawyer and political fixer. The book also examines Cohn's relationship with Donald Trump. Cohn served as a mentor to Trump during his early career. Jeffrey Brown conducted an interview with Bird for the arts and culture series, CANVAS.