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
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
“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 says that he was paid back over a 12 month period for the hush money he gave to Stormy Daniels in order to hide the purpose of the payments.
Cohen says that he has hundreds of tapes, including some he recorded secretly of Donald Trump and other clients.
Cohen says that he discussed the "possibility" of a trip to Russia for Donald Trump during the campaign. But, the trip did not pan out.
Cohen is now saying that he and others purposefully manipulated polls to make Donald Trump look good.
Cohen says that those in the administration may end up where he is if they are not careful.
"Sadly if they follow blindly like I have, I think the answer is yes," Cohen said.
Cohen says that Donald Trump does not have email and that he does not send text messages.
"Not only did I lie to the American people, I lied to the first lady," Cohen said.
He says Donald Trump forced him to explain the hush money payments to Melania Trump while they were in a car together.
Cohen says that he thinks the president can do "a lot" to him.
He says he doesn't walk with his wife or children in public anymore because he fears that Donald Trump's followers could feel compelled to harm him.
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