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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.

Independent Minds Q&A session on the Middle East, Trump, Syria and Isis

“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's opening statement has now concluded.

Representative Elijah Cummings has asked him if he is aware of the gravity of the situation he finds himself in.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:57

Cohen acknowledges that he lost his law license yesterday.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:58

Mr Cummings is now asking Cohen about his discussions regarding reimbursements to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. He said the discussions took place long before Mr Trump became president.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:59

Cohen says he was contacted by the lawyer for Stormy Daniels about purchasing the rights to her life story.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 15:59

The committee is now seeing a cheque made after the president said he is not playing any role in his business.

Cohen says that the payments were designed to be made over 12 months, and described as a retainer of services. Cohen said there is no retainer agreement, however.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:01

Cohen has confirmed that Donald Trump wrote him a cheque from his personal account to reimburse him for hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. The cheque was cut while Mr Trump was president.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:03

Here's Cohen admitting he is a liar, but claiming he is not a liar:

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:03

Representative Jim Jordan is now grilling Cohen about a threat he once made.

Cohen says he made the threat to protect the Trump family.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:04

Cohen is now being asked about false filings to the IRS. He says that he did not file those to protect the president.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:06

Representative Jim Jordan is now asking Cohen about a Twitter account that called him "sexy".

"We were having fun during a stressful time," he said.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:07

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