On Feb. 27, 2019, Michael Cohen, President Trump’s former lawyer, presented his testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Cohen provided information on campaign-finance violations, collusion, the misuse of the Trump Foundation and fraudulent financial practices (The Atlantic).
Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress previously about the Russia investigation. Cohen has been referred to as a previous “Trump loyalist, now a Trump foe” (CNN). In his testimony, Cohen described President Trump as a man he used to look up to but now, Cohen said, Trump is nothing more than a racist, a cheat and a con man.
In Cohen’s testimony, he disclosed information about what he was told to do while he was Trump’s lawyer. His statements could prove far more damaging in the future to the President.
According to Cohen, he was told by President Trump to lie and keep quiet about numerous things throughout the years. Trump instructed him to lie about the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. This payment of $136,000, according to Cohen, was made just before Election Day in 2016 (New York Times).
Cohen was also asked to lie about the Russian conspiracy. Cohen stated in the testimony, “He doesn’t give you questions, he doesn’t give you orders,” Cohen said. “He speaks in a code, and I understand the code because I’ve been around him for a decade.”
While there is no direct evidence, the public should still be vigilant and keep a close eye on what is going on in Washington. The Cohen testimony may or may not be 100% true; however, we as a nation should pay close attention to events such as these that raise suspicion.
by Caroline Smith
