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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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Cohen now admits that he lied to Congress about Donald Trump's negotiations with Russia for a real estate project in Moscow.

He says Mr Trump did not tell him explicitly to lie, but that he knew from the president's behaviour that he wanted him to lie.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:32

"Mr Trump knew of and directed the Trump Moscow negotiations" during the campaign, Cohen said. He says Mr Trump then lied about it because he did not expect to win.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:33

Cohen says he has been "smeared as a rat" by Donald Trump in the past few years.

He now is trying to flip the script, noting that he has a family that he cares for.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:34

Cohen is now preparing to tell the committee about Donald Trump, from the perspective of a guy who has known him for over a decade.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:36

"Being around Mr Trump was intoxicating when you were in his presence," Cohen said of the president when he first began working for him.

He said that he towed the Trump line for over a decade, and said it overtook his life.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:37

"Mr Trump is an enigma. He is complicated. ... He is both good and bad. ... But the bad far outweighs the good. Since taking office he has become the worst version of himself," Cohen said.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:38

Cohen says that the president is a "racist".

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:42

"Lying to the first lady is one of my biggest regrets because she is a kind, good person, and I respect her greatly," Cohen said of his lie to Melania Trump. He lied about knowing about an affair between the president and adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:45

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:46

Cohen is now saying that the president wrote personal cheques as hush money to keep Stormy Daniels quiet about their alleged affair.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:47

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