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As it happenedended

Cohen testimony: Trump’s ex-lawyer claims ‘criminal conspiracy’ and gives dire warning to Congress in public testimony

Cohen said he is worried that there will 'never be another peaceful transfer of power' if Mr Trump loses re-election in 2020

Clark Mindock
New York
Wednesday 27 February 2019 23:10 GMT
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Michael Cohen says he cannot discuss that last contact he had with Trump, as it is being investigated by the Southern District of New York

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Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s ex-lawyer, has given dramatic testimony before the House Oversight Committee, were he discussed a criminal conspiracy involving the president, his oldest son Donald Trump Jr, and the chief financial officer of the Trump Organisation, Allen Weisselberg — and then cast the president as an existential threat to American democracy.

During one particularly notable exchange, Cohen was asked by Democratic Representative Ro Khanna about a cheque making a payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, which he called a "smoking gun" that proves several individuals were involved in the conspiracy.

"Are you telling us, Mr Cohen, that the president directed transactions in conspiracy with Allen Weisselberg and his son, Donald Trump Jr, as part of a criminal conspiracy of financial fraud?" Mr Khanna asked in relation to the cheque. "Is that your testimony today?"

"Yes," Cohen said.

Cohen, who will serve a three year prison sentence starting in May, said during his testimony that he believes the US is at a critical juncture in its history. Mr Trump, a man who Cohen once said he would take a bullet for, is a threat to American democracy, he said.

"If he loses the [2020] election, I worry there would never be a peaceful transition of power," he said.

Throughout his hours-long testimony on Wednesday, Cohen said that he is remorseful for ever allowing himself to end up in Mr Trump's inner circle. Cohen, who worked as the president's private attorney for a decade said that he had caused considerable damage to his family and reputation — and repeatedly apologised even as Republicans questioned why they should believe his testimony given he pleaded guilty to lying to Congress once before already.

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“I am ashamed that I chose to take part in concealing Mr Trump’s illicit acts rather than listening to my own conscience,” Cohen said.

Cohen also suggested that the president was aware that political consultant Roger Stone was in discussion with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange about the site’s access to stolen Democratic National Committee emails.

The president's former personal attorney said that he was in a room when Mr Stone told Mr Trump about the leaks, and that nobody made an effort to contact the FBI regarding those leaks.

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Representative Jim Jordan has called Cohen a Democrat "patsy". He also claimed that billionaire donor Tom Steyer is pulling the strings in the Democratic Party.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:23

Representative Jim Jordan is now attacking Representative Elijah Cummings for the way he is running the hearing today.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:25

Representative Elijah Cummings notes that anyone recording needs to be credentialed to do so.

He also has told spectators that any protesters will be removed.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:25

Cohen is now being sworn in.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:26

Cohen is now speaking.

"I have asked this committee... to ensure that my family be protected from presidential threats," he says.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:27

Cohen says he is under oath to offer what he knows about the president.

He says he has incorporated documents that are "irrefutable" and demonstrate that his testimony will be truthful.

He said that he did not think Mr Trump would launch a campaign on "hate and intolerance" when he began working for in him 2007. 

"I am ashamed of my weakness and my misplaced loyalty," Cohen said.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:28

"He is a racist. He is a conman. And he is a cheat," Cohen said of Donald Trump.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:29

Cohen says Mr Trump knew Roger Stone was talking to Julian Assange about Wikileaks drops of emails from the Hillary Clinton campaign.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:29

Cohen says he also included a cheque from Donald Trump's personal account to pay hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:30

Cohen says that he has included in his testimony copies of letters he wrote for the president to his former schools, threatening them in order to keep them from releasing his grades and SAT scores.

"The last time I came to Congress I came to protect Mr Trump. Today, I am here to tell the truth," Cohen said.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:31

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