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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 is asking Cohen why he worked for Donald Trump for 10 years if it was so bad.

Mr Jordan now notes that "you didn't get brought to the dance" when Mr Trump became president. That's to say that Mr Jordan thinks Cohen was upset that he didn't get a White House job.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:09

Cohen says the he did not want to work in the White House, and preferred to be his personal attorney to preserve attorney-client privileges.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:09

Representative Jim Jordan says that Cohen is behaving like others who have been fired from the White House. Cohen has reiterated that he did not want a White House job.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:10

Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz is now questioning Cohen. She was the head of the Democratic National Committee at the time of the Wikileaks hack of the committee's emails in 2016.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:11

Here's Cohen discussing the timeline of the DNC email hacks:

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:13

Representative Mark Green, a Republican, is now questioning Cohen.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:18

Mr Green is questioning why Cohen's testimony should be believed at all, given his multiple crimes.

"He's the best witness you got?"

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:19

"Ladies and gentlemen, how on earth is this witness credible?" Mr Green said.

"He's a fake witness. His presence here is a travesty."

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:20

Mr Green has asked Cohen where how he will be making money in the future. Cohen says he does not expect to make money while he is in prison.

He also says that he has not accepted a book deal, but that he has been approached about books and television shows.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:21

Representative Carolyn Maloney is now questioning Cohen.

Clark Mindock27 February 2019 16:22

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