PART I
Critique of the Michael Cohen Congressional Hearing
Feb. 27, 2019
Introduction
The purpose of the Michael Cohen House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing ordered by Democrats, now, that they control of the House of Representatives, was to investigate what Cohen, Trump’s personal lawyer and fixer, knew about the high crimes and misdemeanors of Donald Trump, his family and team before and after he became president of the United States and recommend course of action.
Cohen pleaded guilty to tax fraud, bank fraud, and violating the finance campaign law and lying to Congress stemming from the Mueller’s investigation.
He flipped on Trump to get a reduced sentence.
During the hearing, Democrats on the panel stayed on the rails and Republicans on the panel tried to sabotage the hearing.
The two worst offenders: Rep. Meadows R-NC and Rep. Jordan R-Ohio.
Meadows began by trying to postpone the hearing on a technicality: he argued with the chairman’s ruling, and the matter was settled by the panel voting against him: 24 to 17. All Republicans on the panel; except one, voted to delay the hearing, and all Democrats voted to proceed.
Both Meadows and Jordan were ruled out of order during the hearing.
Seeing the number of people there, the press, cameras, and the money, time, and work to prepare this hearing for broadcasting on television on this date – postponement—constitutes a deliberate and unreasonable attempt to obstruct justice by Republicans.
The purpose of the Michael Cohen House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing ordered by Democrats, now, that they control of the House of Representatives, was to investigate what Cohen, Trump’s personal lawyer and fixer, knew about the high crimes and misdemeanors of Donald Trump, his family and team before and after he became president of the United States and recommend course of action.
Cohen pleaded guilty to tax fraud, bank fraud, and violating the finance campaign law and lying to Congress stemming from the Mueller’s investigation.
He flipped on Trump to get a reduced sentence.
During the hearing, Democrats on the panel stayed on the rails and Republicans on the panel tried to sabotage the hearing.
The two worst offenders: Rep. Meadows R-NC and Rep. Jordan R-Ohio.
Meadows began by trying to postpone the hearing on a technicality: he argued with the chairman’s ruling, and the matter was settled by the panel voting against him: 24 to 17. All Republicans on the panel; except one, voted to delay the hearing, and all Democrats voted to proceed.
Both Meadows and Jordan were ruled out of order during the hearing.
Seeing the number of people there, the press, cameras, and the money, time, and work to prepare this hearing for broadcasting on television on this date – postponement—constitutes a deliberate and unreasonable attempt to obstruct justice by Republicans.
Chairman Elijah Cummings, Chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, Opening Statement:
He said, the American people voted for accountability in November and they have a right to hear Mr. Cohen: that vote put Democrats in control of the House of Representatives, and he said, the days of protecting the President by this committee (i.e., by Republicans when they controlled the House) are over and said, it is our duty; that is, as legislatures, to serve as an independent check on the executive branch, and if, Cohen lied at this hearing, he would refer him to the OJ, and said, the purpose of this congressional hearing: the pursuit of truth and justice about President Trump.
And, he quoted Martin Luther King, “Silence, becomes betrayal.”
He said, the American people voted for accountability in November and they have a right to hear Mr. Cohen: that vote put Democrats in control of the House of Representatives, and he said, the days of protecting the President by this committee (i.e., by Republicans when they controlled the House) are over and said, it is our duty; that is, as legislatures, to serve as an independent check on the executive branch, and if, Cohen lied at this hearing, he would refer him to the OJ, and said, the purpose of this congressional hearing: the pursuit of truth and justice about President Trump.
And, he quoted Martin Luther King, “Silence, becomes betrayal.”
The opening statement of Jim Jordan, ranking member of the Republican Party
He set in place the Republican assault plan:
Cohen was an incorrigible felon and liar.
Democrats, maliciously, set up this Hearing to be a forum for Cohen to lie about Trump, the President of the United States.
This is a blatantly false statement.
Michael Cohen’s Opening Statement:
He swore under oath to tell the truth. He admitted committed crimes for Trump, was sorry, and going to prison for it—and called Trump a racist, conman, and cheat. He backed up his testimony with a list of documents. He said, he was in Trump’s office, when he heard on speaker phone Roger Stone tell Trump there would be a release of emails hurting Hillary, his presidential opponent, and he replied, “wouldn’t that be great,” and on another occasion overheard Don Jr. tell Donald Trump, his father, that a meeting in the Trump Tower was set [believed to be with a Russian agent], and he replied, “OK, good, let me know.” These were two stunning revelations; because, Trump denied knowledge of the meeting and speaking to Stone. He said, he committed crimes that he knew were wrong for the benefit of, at the direction of, and in coordination with individual number 1, President Donald Trump. He said, he was Trump’s fixer, but, no more. He was on the path of redemption and wanted the American people to know the truth. And, he said, Trump and his lawyer made false attacks and threaten him and his family prior to the hearing.
Four President Trump’s attacks on Twitter….
Donald J. Trump:
Michael Cohen asks judge for no Prison Time. ”You mean he can do all of the TERRIBLE, unrelated to Trump, things having to do with fraud, big loans, Taxis, etc., and not serve a long prison term? He makes up stories to get a GREAT & ALREADY reduced deal for himself, and get.....
Donald J. Trump:
….his wife and father-in-law (who has the money?) off Scott Free. He lied for this outcome and should, in my opinion, serve a full and complete sentence.
Donald J. Trump
“Don’t forget, Michael Cohen has already been convicted of perjury and fraud, and as recently as this week, the Wall Street Journal has suggested that he may have stolen tens of thousands of dollars....” Lying to reduce his jail time! Watch father-in-law!
Donald J. Trump
Remember, Michael Cohen only became a “Rat” after the FBI did something which was absolutely unthinkable & unheard of until the Witch Hunt was illegally started. They BROKE INTO AN ATTORNEY’S OFFICE! Why didn’t they break into the DNC to get the Server, or Crooked’s office.
Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s lawyer, went on CNN and said,
...that Cohen’s father in law, “a Ukrainian,” “may have ties to something called organized crime.”
And, Cohen was happy to “lie” about Donald Trump in the hope of getting a reduced sentence, because “he’s afraid to testify against his father-in-law, because the repercussions for that will be far worse.”
These attacks are retaliation for flipping and agreeing to testify before the House Oversight and Reform Committee. Before Cohen flipped, Trump praised Cohen as a “fine person with a wonderful family.”
Now, he is a rat: that is mobster slang for a person who snitches; if, you lie for Trump you’re a fine person, if, tell the truth you’re a rat.
Michael Cohen’s opening statement continued….
Cohen said Trump was good and bad, but the bad out weighted the good.
And said, he came here to correct the record, to answer the committee’s questions truthfully, and to offer the American people what he knows about President Trump.
The questioning of Michael Cohen begins by members of the House Oversight and Reform Committee:
He swore under oath to tell the truth. He admitted committed crimes for Trump, was sorry, and going to prison for it—and called Trump a racist, conman, and cheat. He backed up his testimony with a list of documents. He said, he was in Trump’s office, when he heard on speaker phone Roger Stone tell Trump there would be a release of emails hurting Hillary, his presidential opponent, and he replied, “wouldn’t that be great,” and on another occasion overheard Don Jr. tell Donald Trump, his father, that a meeting in the Trump Tower was set [believed to be with a Russian agent], and he replied, “OK, good, let me know.” These were two stunning revelations; because, Trump denied knowledge of the meeting and speaking to Stone. He said, he committed crimes that he knew were wrong for the benefit of, at the direction of, and in coordination with individual number 1, President Donald Trump. He said, he was Trump’s fixer, but, no more. He was on the path of redemption and wanted the American people to know the truth. And, he said, Trump and his lawyer made false attacks and threaten him and his family prior to the hearing.
Four President Trump’s attacks on Twitter….
Donald J. Trump:
Michael Cohen asks judge for no Prison Time. ”You mean he can do all of the TERRIBLE, unrelated to Trump, things having to do with fraud, big loans, Taxis, etc., and not serve a long prison term? He makes up stories to get a GREAT & ALREADY reduced deal for himself, and get.....
Donald J. Trump:
….his wife and father-in-law (who has the money?) off Scott Free. He lied for this outcome and should, in my opinion, serve a full and complete sentence.
Donald J. Trump
“Don’t forget, Michael Cohen has already been convicted of perjury and fraud, and as recently as this week, the Wall Street Journal has suggested that he may have stolen tens of thousands of dollars....” Lying to reduce his jail time! Watch father-in-law!
Donald J. Trump
Remember, Michael Cohen only became a “Rat” after the FBI did something which was absolutely unthinkable & unheard of until the Witch Hunt was illegally started. They BROKE INTO AN ATTORNEY’S OFFICE! Why didn’t they break into the DNC to get the Server, or Crooked’s office.
Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s lawyer, went on CNN and said,
...that Cohen’s father in law, “a Ukrainian,” “may have ties to something called organized crime.”
And, Cohen was happy to “lie” about Donald Trump in the hope of getting a reduced sentence, because “he’s afraid to testify against his father-in-law, because the repercussions for that will be far worse.”
These attacks are retaliation for flipping and agreeing to testify before the House Oversight and Reform Committee. Before Cohen flipped, Trump praised Cohen as a “fine person with a wonderful family.”
Now, he is a rat: that is mobster slang for a person who snitches; if, you lie for Trump you’re a fine person, if, tell the truth you’re a rat.
Michael Cohen’s opening statement continued….
Cohen said Trump was good and bad, but the bad out weighted the good.
And said, he came here to correct the record, to answer the committee’s questions truthfully, and to offer the American people what he knows about President Trump.
The questioning of Michael Cohen begins by members of the House Oversight and Reform Committee:
1. Mr. Jordan R-OH uses his time to described the crimes committed by Cohen to destroy his credibility, but he only mentioned crimes he committed for himself and not those he committed for Trump: it was a one-sided-take-down. He cast Cohen as a liar and convicted felon and could not be trusted to tell the truth. He claims, Cohen was bitter, because, he did get a job in the White House. Cohen says that is false. Rep. Jordan was the go‑to GOP attack dog who subverted the purpose of the hearing, to learn about Trump’s crimes, to attack the messenger and his message.
2. Ms. Wasserman Shultz D-Fl thanked Mr. Cohen for being here and stayed on the rails—asking him a number of pertinent questions:
Did President Trump have advanced knowledge of the WikiLeaks release of emails? He answered, yes, something: Trump denied in public and to Mueller.
Was Don Jr, Ivanka and Jared Kushner involved in Russian Trump Tower deal during this time? He answered, the Trump Organization was involved: that meant -- the Trump family.
Does Trump have the potential to collude with the Russians? Cohen answered, yes. He will do whatever is necessary to win.
The last question: Do you believe Trump colluded with the Russians? Cohen said, he could not answer that question: it was under investigation by Mueller.
Did President Trump have advanced knowledge of the WikiLeaks release of emails? He answered, yes, something: Trump denied in public and to Mueller.
Was Don Jr, Ivanka and Jared Kushner involved in Russian Trump Tower deal during this time? He answered, the Trump Organization was involved: that meant -- the Trump family.
Does Trump have the potential to collude with the Russians? Cohen answered, yes. He will do whatever is necessary to win.
The last question: Do you believe Trump colluded with the Russians? Cohen said, he could not answer that question: it was under investigation by Mueller.
3. Mr. Green R-TN said at the onset, let this sink in: Cohen is going to prison for lying to Congress. The reason, Republicans are casting Cohen a lair, he is unmasking Trump’s illegal acts, the head of their Party. Green states, “no one can see this guy as credible”—that is a false statement. A poll, found more people found him credible, than not. I found Green’s reasoning bad; if, the committee wanted to know the truth—they would call a honest man to testify. First of all, Trump would not hire a man, as his personal lawyer, who would not lie for him or agree with what he wanted to achieve: ask former FBI Director, James Comey and former US Attorney Preet Bharara, both were honest and fired, it takes a dishonest man, who worked for Trump, who flipped.
More proof; when, Trump replaced Cohen, as his personal attorney, it was another attorney who would lie or twist things for him: Rudy Giuliani.
Cohen’s testimony shows, to work for Trump, you have to show your loyalty by lying, sacrificing and committing crimes for him.
Green called Cohen a “fake witness” and his presence here a “travesty.” What is a travesty: the mad dog attacks by Republicans on Cohen, who put his life and family in danger, to tell us what Trump is; really like, as a real estate mogul and US President.
Green, who criticized Cohen as a liar, told a lie, himself, he said, Cohen broke campaign finance law with his own donations on two occasions, that is partly false, he broke campaign finance law twice, but, only once with his money, to conceal the Instigator.
When Cohen lies; then, Green believes him; when he confesses and tells the truth: he was reimbursed by Trump; then, Green does not believe him.
Here are 5 more lies by Green:
1. He said, If, the Democrats were after the truth, they would not restrict the topics: there was no restrictions asking about any of Trump’s illegal acts, the primary purpose of the Hearing—not part of the ongoing Mueller and SDNY investigations. Those restrictions were requested by the Courts.
Democrats found plenty of open space for inquirer.
2. He said, the sentencing report tells us, Cohen cannot tell the truth about the President: the memo does not say that. That is his erroneous extrapolation. Green, like, Trump distorts the meaning of documents.
3. He said, because Cohen lied to the IRS and to banks, he cannot tell the truth about Trumps taxes and finances. That is false.
a. He had a reason to lie to the IRS and banks.
b. He has no reason to lie about Trump’s crimes.
4. Green said, nothing that Cohen says or produces has any credibility. That is false. Documents: exhibits 1-9 submitted by Cohen are credible.
5. He implied, because Cohen’s bank statements and tax returns were forged: these documents submitted by Cohen to the Hearing are also forged.
Cohen wanted to correct Green’s statement: Green would not let him and asked one final question: “Who paid your expenses to be here today?” Cohen answered, “I paid my expenses”; probably, not the answer, he was looking for. Then, Green yielded the remaining of his time to Jordan, the go-to GOP attack dog, who wanted to know how many times, he talked to the Special Counsel’s office after sentencing and prior to the hearing. He was looking for some nefarious reason [or motive] for his appearance or testifying – before he could answer--the Chairman said, the gentleman’s time was up…you may answer the question though.
Cohen answered, I’m sorry, I don’t have the answer to that.
Update:
Rep. Green said during the hearing, “I hope the American people see through this. I know the people in Tennessee will.”
Feb. 28, 2019, The Tennessee Star issued this article by Chris Butler—titled: Congressman Mark Green Destroys Felon Michael Cohen.
That is not true. The people of Tennessee were misled by The Tennessee Star. Green did not destroy Cohen’s testimony: he destroyed his own credibility. In addition to that, he said on Fox News, “Rep. Adam Schiff is a conspiracy theorist who needs to resign.”
Mark Green is not fair, right or rational minded.
He declares Trump’s crimes are theories [or lies].
More proof; when, Trump replaced Cohen, as his personal attorney, it was another attorney who would lie or twist things for him: Rudy Giuliani.
Cohen’s testimony shows, to work for Trump, you have to show your loyalty by lying, sacrificing and committing crimes for him.
Green called Cohen a “fake witness” and his presence here a “travesty.” What is a travesty: the mad dog attacks by Republicans on Cohen, who put his life and family in danger, to tell us what Trump is; really like, as a real estate mogul and US President.
Green, who criticized Cohen as a liar, told a lie, himself, he said, Cohen broke campaign finance law with his own donations on two occasions, that is partly false, he broke campaign finance law twice, but, only once with his money, to conceal the Instigator.
When Cohen lies; then, Green believes him; when he confesses and tells the truth: he was reimbursed by Trump; then, Green does not believe him.
Here are 5 more lies by Green:
1. He said, If, the Democrats were after the truth, they would not restrict the topics: there was no restrictions asking about any of Trump’s illegal acts, the primary purpose of the Hearing—not part of the ongoing Mueller and SDNY investigations. Those restrictions were requested by the Courts.
Democrats found plenty of open space for inquirer.
2. He said, the sentencing report tells us, Cohen cannot tell the truth about the President: the memo does not say that. That is his erroneous extrapolation. Green, like, Trump distorts the meaning of documents.
3. He said, because Cohen lied to the IRS and to banks, he cannot tell the truth about Trumps taxes and finances. That is false.
a. He had a reason to lie to the IRS and banks.
b. He has no reason to lie about Trump’s crimes.
4. Green said, nothing that Cohen says or produces has any credibility. That is false. Documents: exhibits 1-9 submitted by Cohen are credible.
5. He implied, because Cohen’s bank statements and tax returns were forged: these documents submitted by Cohen to the Hearing are also forged.
Cohen wanted to correct Green’s statement: Green would not let him and asked one final question: “Who paid your expenses to be here today?” Cohen answered, “I paid my expenses”; probably, not the answer, he was looking for. Then, Green yielded the remaining of his time to Jordan, the go-to GOP attack dog, who wanted to know how many times, he talked to the Special Counsel’s office after sentencing and prior to the hearing. He was looking for some nefarious reason [or motive] for his appearance or testifying – before he could answer--the Chairman said, the gentleman’s time was up…you may answer the question though.
Cohen answered, I’m sorry, I don’t have the answer to that.
Update:
Rep. Green said during the hearing, “I hope the American people see through this. I know the people in Tennessee will.”
Feb. 28, 2019, The Tennessee Star issued this article by Chris Butler—titled: Congressman Mark Green Destroys Felon Michael Cohen.
That is not true. The people of Tennessee were misled by The Tennessee Star. Green did not destroy Cohen’s testimony: he destroyed his own credibility. In addition to that, he said on Fox News, “Rep. Adam Schiff is a conspiracy theorist who needs to resign.”
Mark Green is not fair, right or rational minded.
He declares Trump’s crimes are theories [or lies].
4. Ms. Maloney D-NY asked Cohen in the ten years you worked for Trump, did he control everything that happened in the Trump Organization and did you get his permission and report back to him for the things you did? He answered, yes. She asked why President Trump 2017 financial disclosure form was not filled out accurately. Cohen said it was changed with some kind of footnote; regardless, Trump knowing committed fraud. He tried to hide something and after the truth came out, he changed his financial statement. And, she asked about Trump’s involvement in the payment of hush money to Stormy Daniels which Trump, previously, denied. Cohen gave proof of his involvement: the eleven reimbursement checks. Cohen explained the meaning of the “catch and kill” scheme and admitted engaging in several for the president.
He said, Trump engaged in these schemes with the National Inquirer long before he began working for Trump. She asked, can you suggest who this committee can talk to for additional information: he mentioned David Pecker, Dylan Howard, and Berry Levine of AMI and Allen Weisselberg and Alan Garten of the Trump Organization.
Her questions were pertinent to the hearing.
He said, Trump engaged in these schemes with the National Inquirer long before he began working for Trump. She asked, can you suggest who this committee can talk to for additional information: he mentioned David Pecker, Dylan Howard, and Berry Levine of AMI and Allen Weisselberg and Alan Garten of the Trump Organization.
Her questions were pertinent to the hearing.
5. Mr. Gomer R-KY who stated he served as a director of two banks, used his time inquiring about Cohen’s bank fraud conviction wasting the committee’s time; that is, already, part of the record. Cohen got into an argument with Gomer about the facts of the case: no bank lost money from loans he made. Comer said Cohen defrauded a bank --- Cohen says, no.
There is a difference:
1. A person who lies on his application to get a loan and can’t repay the bank.
2. A person who lies on his application to get a loan and does repay the bank.
Cohen is type 2.
Compare that to Trump, who defaulted on a $640 million loan and allegedly, deprived lenders of $1 billion. It may have been—swindled.
Republicans don’t care about that.
: Gomer said, Cohen had a desire to defraud the bank. That is false. Cohen knew the facts better than Gomer. He may have had hidden assets [or income].
He says, no individual or bank has lost $1.
Gomer said, Mr. Chairman, we said we were in the search for the truth and I do not believe Cohen is capability of telling the truth. There two things wrong with that statement: it was a search for the truth about Cohen’s criminal past, not Trump.
And, Cohen is very capable of helping…..
However, Gomer did ask, and yielded back to Jordan, the go-to GOP attack dog, who said, Cohen said, “I really did not do anything wrong” and his remorse was non-existent. Cohen responded, that’s not what I said. He was correct: the memo was put up on the screen. Jordan altered it.
Cohen said; regarding, using false information to get a bank loan, I took responsibility for, I pled guilty, I am remorseful, and I am going to prison for, and said to Jordan, “shame on you” -- for your mischaracterization of me.
Jordan responded to Cohen—“that is exactly what you said.” That statement makes Jordan, a liar, the sentencing memo was not written by Cohen.
Gomer and Jordan are using personal crimes that Cohen committed in past, not the ones he committed for Trump, to destroy his credibility: he lied to the bank and on his taxes; therefore, he can’t be trusted to tell the truth at the hearing. That is a fallacy.
They reject Cohen has turned over a new leaf.
That is the party line—they are sticking with.
I don’t agree with memo of the SDNY that Jordan is quoting, that states Cohen’s consciousness of wrong doing is fleeting, his remorse minimal—not if, he spends 3 years in a federal penitentiary and he tends to blame others. He is; partly, justified in blaming Trump for crimes that he committed for Trump.
Gomer and Jordan are casting Cohen as a liar to protect Trump, their Leader, who is a chronic liar and law-breaker. They see him as innocent.
That belief is clearly factitious.
I would like to put into the record, a New York Times article by James Comey, “How Trump Co-opts Leaders like Bill Barr.
He explains how difficult it was working for President Trump, “It starts with your sitting silent while he lies, both in public and private, making you complicit by your silence.” You either support what he espouses – or asked to resign [or fired].
Republicans on this panel are complicit! They are silent, by not asking about Trump’s crimes, because, he is a Republican.
There is a difference:
1. A person who lies on his application to get a loan and can’t repay the bank.
2. A person who lies on his application to get a loan and does repay the bank.
Cohen is type 2.
Compare that to Trump, who defaulted on a $640 million loan and allegedly, deprived lenders of $1 billion. It may have been—swindled.
Republicans don’t care about that.
: Gomer said, Cohen had a desire to defraud the bank. That is false. Cohen knew the facts better than Gomer. He may have had hidden assets [or income].
He says, no individual or bank has lost $1.
Gomer said, Mr. Chairman, we said we were in the search for the truth and I do not believe Cohen is capability of telling the truth. There two things wrong with that statement: it was a search for the truth about Cohen’s criminal past, not Trump.
And, Cohen is very capable of helping…..
However, Gomer did ask, and yielded back to Jordan, the go-to GOP attack dog, who said, Cohen said, “I really did not do anything wrong” and his remorse was non-existent. Cohen responded, that’s not what I said. He was correct: the memo was put up on the screen. Jordan altered it.
Cohen said; regarding, using false information to get a bank loan, I took responsibility for, I pled guilty, I am remorseful, and I am going to prison for, and said to Jordan, “shame on you” -- for your mischaracterization of me.
Jordan responded to Cohen—“that is exactly what you said.” That statement makes Jordan, a liar, the sentencing memo was not written by Cohen.
Gomer and Jordan are using personal crimes that Cohen committed in past, not the ones he committed for Trump, to destroy his credibility: he lied to the bank and on his taxes; therefore, he can’t be trusted to tell the truth at the hearing. That is a fallacy.
They reject Cohen has turned over a new leaf.
That is the party line—they are sticking with.
I don’t agree with memo of the SDNY that Jordan is quoting, that states Cohen’s consciousness of wrong doing is fleeting, his remorse minimal—not if, he spends 3 years in a federal penitentiary and he tends to blame others. He is; partly, justified in blaming Trump for crimes that he committed for Trump.
Gomer and Jordan are casting Cohen as a liar to protect Trump, their Leader, who is a chronic liar and law-breaker. They see him as innocent.
That belief is clearly factitious.
I would like to put into the record, a New York Times article by James Comey, “How Trump Co-opts Leaders like Bill Barr.
He explains how difficult it was working for President Trump, “It starts with your sitting silent while he lies, both in public and private, making you complicit by your silence.” You either support what he espouses – or asked to resign [or fired].
Republicans on this panel are complicit! They are silent, by not asking about Trump’s crimes, because, he is a Republican.
6. Ms. Norton D-DC stayed on the rails: asked questions about the news story that appeared weeks before the election: that Trump had an affair with a porn star. Trump was concerned this might hurt his chances of being elected. Stormy Daniels wanted a payment of $130K to remain silent. Cohen says, Trump agreed to a plan to pay her off. Trump denies it. Cohen provided two checks as proof—exhibit 5a-b. The first signed by Don Trump Jr. and Allen Weisselberg—the second by Trump.
Cohen was convicted in this case; however, the handling of this case by the AG in Manhattan is not complete: he got the little man, not the Big Man. What campaign finance law did they violate? I will get to that, one step at a time.
Cohen, the agent, was charged and pled guilty.
Donald Trump, the principal, has been not charged.
Cohen was convicted in this case; however, the handling of this case by the AG in Manhattan is not complete: he got the little man, not the Big Man. What campaign finance law did they violate? I will get to that, one step at a time.
Cohen, the agent, was charged and pled guilty.
Donald Trump, the principal, has been not charged.
7. Mr. Meadows R-NC argued: Trump could not be a racist: his, witness, Lynn Patton, a black woman, who worked for Trump. That was a flawed argument. Michael Cohen knows the non-public Trump better than Lynn Patton.
Meadows begin a new line of questioning: looking for a new crime to charge Cohen with, his contract with Novartis and BTA Bank. It resulted in an argument with Cohen. It ended, when the Chairman said his time was up. Meadows became upset and tried to continue.
I don’t see what Cohen’s foreign contracts have to with this hearing: he is not being investigated for illegal foreign contracts—or FARA.
Meadows sneaky reason for asking these questions is coming up! He is going to step off a cliff: he has no basis for these non-hearing-related questions.
Meadows begin a new line of questioning: looking for a new crime to charge Cohen with, his contract with Novartis and BTA Bank. It resulted in an argument with Cohen. It ended, when the Chairman said his time was up. Meadows became upset and tried to continue.
I don’t see what Cohen’s foreign contracts have to with this hearing: he is not being investigated for illegal foreign contracts—or FARA.
Meadows sneaky reason for asking these questions is coming up! He is going to step off a cliff: he has no basis for these non-hearing-related questions.
8. Mr. Clay D-MO said we are here for one reason, the American people are tried being lied to by Trump, his children, legal representatives, and it pains me to say; even, congressional enablers and asked Cohen, did Trump ever inflate assets or revenue? Cohen answered, yes. He explained how it was done. Clay asked, did Trump use these inflated assets to obtain a loan?
Cohen answered, yes -- from Deutsche Bank to buy the Buffalo Bills.
This is the same crime that Cohen was convicted of. There is one difference, Trump’s bid failed and the loan was never consummated. He attempted to commit fraud.
According to sportingnews.com, he inflated assets: $4 billion.
Trump has filed a lawsuit to block Deutsche Bank from turning over his financial records subpoenaed by House committees.
Making a false statement on a loan application is a crime.
Cohen answered, yes -- from Deutsche Bank to buy the Buffalo Bills.
This is the same crime that Cohen was convicted of. There is one difference, Trump’s bid failed and the loan was never consummated. He attempted to commit fraud.
According to sportingnews.com, he inflated assets: $4 billion.
Trump has filed a lawsuit to block Deutsche Bank from turning over his financial records subpoenaed by House committees.
Making a false statement on a loan application is a crime.
9. Mr. Hice R-GA yields time to Meadows, the GOP madman, who tried to submit documents damaging to Cohen for committee record: there was an objection: Chairman Cummings returns time back to Hice. Hice referring to what Cohen said earlier to Jordan, “that his facts are inaccurate,” said, “if they are facts, they are accurate, that makes you inaccurate.” No, there are two kinds of facts: those that are true, and those that are false. Sometimes, people use erroneous facts to mislead people, like Republicans at this hearing. Hice’s thinking is partisan. He wanted to know, if Tom Steyer was paying Lanny Davis, his lawyer, Cohen answered, not that he was aware of. And, he asks Cohen, who he spoke with prior to the hearing, he believes this Hearing is a conspiracy between Cohen, his lawyer, Schiff, and Chairman Cummings to bring the President, Donald Trump, down [or impugn].
There are two types of facts presented at this hearing:
The facts of Democrats are based on evidence.
The facts of Republicans are based on lies and distortion.
The people have to decide, who is right.
Hice repeated, Cohen, the state’s witness, was a convicted liar, criminal, incompatible with the goal of seeking the truth. At least, he admitted to the purpose of the hearing, and said this the first time in history of Congress, that we have a man here testifying, that has been convicted of lying to Congress. And this hearing brought this committee to its knees in terms of its credibility and is a shameful mockery of what our purpose is.
That is false. Republicans were making a shameful mockery of this Cohen hearing, not Democrats.
There are two types of facts presented at this hearing:
The facts of Democrats are based on evidence.
The facts of Republicans are based on lies and distortion.
The people have to decide, who is right.
Hice repeated, Cohen, the state’s witness, was a convicted liar, criminal, incompatible with the goal of seeking the truth. At least, he admitted to the purpose of the hearing, and said this the first time in history of Congress, that we have a man here testifying, that has been convicted of lying to Congress. And this hearing brought this committee to its knees in terms of its credibility and is a shameful mockery of what our purpose is.
That is false. Republicans were making a shameful mockery of this Cohen hearing, not Democrats.
10. Mr. Lynch D-MA called Hice’s remarks a low point in the hearing and defended Cohen; saying, Papadopoulos, Manafort, Gates, Flint, Pinedo, and Van der Zuraan, all pled guilty, when the Republicans controlled the House refused to call them. He said, the people across the aisle ran from the truth and we are trying to bring it to the people.
Lynch thanks Cohen for voluntarily testifying. He wanted to know about some of the details of Trump’s attempt to build a luxury hotel in Moscow during the Trump campaign, which he denied. Cohen said he kept Trump informed. Lynch asked who else? He answered, Don Jr. and Ivanka Trump.
Cohen said, replying to Hice’s aforesaid remark, he lied to Congress to protect President Trump, but, not anymore. And he said, he searched boxes of evidence, to make sure his testimony here was accurate, to protect himself, from attacks on his credibility.
Lynch ended by saying, Republicans were not afraid of Cohen lying, they were afraid of him telling the truth. Amen, all 18 ganged up on him, except one.
Lynch thanks Cohen for voluntarily testifying. He wanted to know about some of the details of Trump’s attempt to build a luxury hotel in Moscow during the Trump campaign, which he denied. Cohen said he kept Trump informed. Lynch asked who else? He answered, Don Jr. and Ivanka Trump.
Cohen said, replying to Hice’s aforesaid remark, he lied to Congress to protect President Trump, but, not anymore. And he said, he searched boxes of evidence, to make sure his testimony here was accurate, to protect himself, from attacks on his credibility.
Lynch ended by saying, Republicans were not afraid of Cohen lying, they were afraid of him telling the truth. Amen, all 18 ganged up on him, except one.
11. Mr. Gosar yielded his time to Jordan, the go-to GOP attack dog, who began naming people fired or demoted by the Trump administration: these we should be more concerned about, he said; particularly, Deputy Attorney General, Ron Rosenstein, who three people said, he contemplated using the 25th Amendment to remove the President. Jordan said, he asked Chairman Cummings to investigate him; instead, we get this guy who is going to prison for lying to Congress.
Jordan should be careful what he wishes for; because, this inquiry might backfire, others feel the same way. I will put one into the record—here:
Trump 'not mentally well,' should be removed under 25th Amendment, former Bush ethics attorney says.
By Ryan Gaydos | Fox News
Jordan; then, asked Cohen did he or his attorneys spoke with Chairman Nadler of the House Judiciary Committee and who is paying Mr. Davis, his attorney. Republicans on the panel, thinks there is a sinister plot behind this hearing; like, Cohen or his lawyers colluding with Trump investigators. After unloading his venom on Cohen and this hearing, he returned the reminder of time back to Goser.
Mr. Gosar R-AZ called Cohen “a pathological liar” and refused to let Cohen respond. He was ill-tempered and used the old adage “liar, liar, pants on fire.” That is not true. Cohen substantiated most of his testimony with documents and provided leads where evidence can be found. So, while it is true, Cohen lied before for himself and to protect the President -- Cohen now is a changed man, pled guilty, and is telling the truth as part of plea deal to reduce his sentence.
Gosar does not recognize Cohen conversion and said, “he does not know fact, from falsehood,” but failed to tell what he said about Trump’s misdeeds that were false; so, now at the hearing: Gosar has become a liar, like Cohen, defending his accused complicit criminal Party Leader and President.
Here are 4 more of his lies:
1. “You committed these crimes for your benefit, not Donald Trump” -- that is false: 2 crimes were for himself and 2 were for Trump.
2. “You’re not a person somebody would call at 3 o’clock in the morning” -- he would not know that unless he is sleeping in bed with him.
3. “There is no truth with you, whatsoever.” Cohen responded, are you referring to me or the President? Gosar responded, “Hey, this is my time.” Even, Trump said, 5% of his testimony was true.
4. “No one should listen to you and give you credibility” – Stormy Daniels did and sent him an email—saying: she was proud of Cohen for telling the truth. She was a victim of Trump, a federal judge, and her lawyer.
Cohen’s calmness and Gosar’s disturbed state of madness shows who is pathological, and it’s Gosar, the Republican from Arizona.
Jordan should be careful what he wishes for; because, this inquiry might backfire, others feel the same way. I will put one into the record—here:
Trump 'not mentally well,' should be removed under 25th Amendment, former Bush ethics attorney says.
By Ryan Gaydos | Fox News
Jordan; then, asked Cohen did he or his attorneys spoke with Chairman Nadler of the House Judiciary Committee and who is paying Mr. Davis, his attorney. Republicans on the panel, thinks there is a sinister plot behind this hearing; like, Cohen or his lawyers colluding with Trump investigators. After unloading his venom on Cohen and this hearing, he returned the reminder of time back to Goser.
Mr. Gosar R-AZ called Cohen “a pathological liar” and refused to let Cohen respond. He was ill-tempered and used the old adage “liar, liar, pants on fire.” That is not true. Cohen substantiated most of his testimony with documents and provided leads where evidence can be found. So, while it is true, Cohen lied before for himself and to protect the President -- Cohen now is a changed man, pled guilty, and is telling the truth as part of plea deal to reduce his sentence.
Gosar does not recognize Cohen conversion and said, “he does not know fact, from falsehood,” but failed to tell what he said about Trump’s misdeeds that were false; so, now at the hearing: Gosar has become a liar, like Cohen, defending his accused complicit criminal Party Leader and President.
Here are 4 more of his lies:
1. “You committed these crimes for your benefit, not Donald Trump” -- that is false: 2 crimes were for himself and 2 were for Trump.
2. “You’re not a person somebody would call at 3 o’clock in the morning” -- he would not know that unless he is sleeping in bed with him.
3. “There is no truth with you, whatsoever.” Cohen responded, are you referring to me or the President? Gosar responded, “Hey, this is my time.” Even, Trump said, 5% of his testimony was true.
4. “No one should listen to you and give you credibility” – Stormy Daniels did and sent him an email—saying: she was proud of Cohen for telling the truth. She was a victim of Trump, a federal judge, and her lawyer.
Cohen’s calmness and Gosar’s disturbed state of madness shows who is pathological, and it’s Gosar, the Republican from Arizona.
12. Mr. Cooper D-TN questioning was on the rails: Cohen explained why he turned on Trump and was remorseful for his loyalty to a conman. Cooper was not hostile; like, Jordan, Green, Gomer, Meadows, Hice, and Gosar. He was civil.
Cohen said everybody’s job in the Trump Organization was to protect Trump—even, if meant lying; like, the republican members of Congress at this hearing.
FIRST BREAK
Hearing resumes:
Cohen said everybody’s job in the Trump Organization was to protect Trump—even, if meant lying; like, the republican members of Congress at this hearing.
FIRST BREAK
Hearing resumes:
13. Ms. Foxx R-NC read a script containing the same points, as other republican grillers: he lied on his taxes, he lied to banks, and he lied to Congress; but this is not the purpose of the hearing. We know about these he has pled guilty: we want to know about Trump’s crimes. Her reasoning is bad: he lied before he cannot be trusted now. She is wrong. He is no longer working for Trump.
She was concerned; he could profit from the hearing and asked, will you commit not to make money from a book or movie deal? This is not relevant to learn about the truth of Trump’s crimes? She wanted him to agree not to benefit, in anyway, from his past experience working for Trump. Dah!
She thinks, if Cohen says yes to a book deal or movie, he will be making money by lying, a cheater, and convicted liar. Cohen responded, lying is not going to get me a book deal.
She is a preprogrammed GOP flunky.
She yields the remainder of her time to Jordan, the go-to GOP attack dog.
Jordan asked, why didn’t your lawyer deny the BuzzFeed report, that Trump directed Cohen to lie to Congress? Cohen answered, I did not think it was his responsibility. Jordan, become angry, because, he did not like Cohen’s answer: he wanted an admission that statement was false. Well, it was not exactly. Trump controls subordinates like, alpha male baboons, by shows extra-large canine teeth and making a loud wahoo sound. Cohen calls it his “battle cry” – don’t cross, defy, or anger Me. Jordan would not let Cohen fully explain and Chairman Cummings had to intercede -- to let him answer. He said, Trump has told over 9,000 lies, it is not mine or my lawyers’ responsibility to be his fact checker. Rep. Jim Jordan should be asking Cohen about Trump’s alleged crimes. That is his responsibility. Cohen said, I find it interesting, Republicans, have not asked one question, so far, about Trump– the reason I came here.
She was concerned; he could profit from the hearing and asked, will you commit not to make money from a book or movie deal? This is not relevant to learn about the truth of Trump’s crimes? She wanted him to agree not to benefit, in anyway, from his past experience working for Trump. Dah!
She thinks, if Cohen says yes to a book deal or movie, he will be making money by lying, a cheater, and convicted liar. Cohen responded, lying is not going to get me a book deal.
She is a preprogrammed GOP flunky.
She yields the remainder of her time to Jordan, the go-to GOP attack dog.
Jordan asked, why didn’t your lawyer deny the BuzzFeed report, that Trump directed Cohen to lie to Congress? Cohen answered, I did not think it was his responsibility. Jordan, become angry, because, he did not like Cohen’s answer: he wanted an admission that statement was false. Well, it was not exactly. Trump controls subordinates like, alpha male baboons, by shows extra-large canine teeth and making a loud wahoo sound. Cohen calls it his “battle cry” – don’t cross, defy, or anger Me. Jordan would not let Cohen fully explain and Chairman Cummings had to intercede -- to let him answer. He said, Trump has told over 9,000 lies, it is not mine or my lawyers’ responsibility to be his fact checker. Rep. Jim Jordan should be asking Cohen about Trump’s alleged crimes. That is his responsibility. Cohen said, I find it interesting, Republicans, have not asked one question, so far, about Trump– the reason I came here.
14. Mr. Connolly D-VA comments were correct: Republicans were using slander, any trick in the book to prevent Cohen’s testimony from sticking. He explained, the republican’s argument: once a person lies, he can never be relied on to tell the truth: that is a falsehood. Connolly said, using criminals, who have turned and become a state’s witness, has been useful, in all prosecutions of organized crime. In this case, part of what Cohn testified is backed up with documents and leads. Connolly said, don’t be fooled, Republicans on the panel are doing everything, but, focus on individual number 1; that, is, Mr. Trump. Cohen responded, “that is correct” – the purpose of the hearing.
Connolly asked a question not made public: Did the meeting with Trump and Jay Sekulow at the White House attempt to influence his testimony before the House Intelligence Committee? And Cohen answered, yes, there is no Russia, no collusion, no deal.
Connolly asked a question not made public: Did the meeting with Trump and Jay Sekulow at the White House attempt to influence his testimony before the House Intelligence Committee? And Cohen answered, yes, there is no Russia, no collusion, no deal.
15. Mr. Massie R-KY continued to bash Cohen for working for Trump without considering; whether, it was legal. Massie is doing the same thing. He is protecting Trump, the T-REX of Liars, and would not let Cohen complete his answer. He admonished Cohen, saying, a good lawyer would tell Trump what he is doing is illegal. First of all, that is a stupid postulation, because, both Cohen and Trump: knew what they were doing were illegal: the cover up cost Trump $420K rather than $130K and he was willing to pay it—he would have not been willing, if he did not orchestrate it.
Trump did not need Cohen to tell him this was illegal.
Here is what Trump said in the past, “I think nobody knows more about campaign finance that I do, because I’m the biggest contributor.”
Trump did not want a lawyer to tell him what was legal, he wanted a lawyer to do his dirty work. Not agreeing with Trump would get you fired: ask, Marvin Roffman and Jim Mattis.
Massie, a former executive judge, does not have good judgment based on his choleric and inane arguments at this hearing and this:
In 2017, he co-sponsored a bill to abolish the Environmental Protection Agency; so, he is; a very bad [evil] judge and congressman.
Massie, like Trump, does not believe in the laws of Nature. Massie also voted to repeal the Stream Protection Rule and against the Undetected Firearms Act.
Massie, after rebuking Cohen for being a bad lawyer, yields the rest of his time to Mr. Higgins who wanted to know where the boxes of evidence were. He did not realize that the attorney for the SDNY had, already, seen them. He shot himself in the foot.
What is happening here: Republicans are looking for evidence to undermine Cohen’s credibility, rather than, ask questions about Trump involvement in these crimes, as a businessman and POTUS, to strengthen the case for his indictment or impeachment. Starr report veteran says Trump’s crimes are a ‘thousandfold’ worse [than Bill Clinton’s}. Then, House Republicans voted for it.
---------------------------
I would like to add something that came out in the Mueller Report: Don McGahn, Special Counsel to the President, advised him not to meddle in the Mueller investigation: he done it anyways: further proof, Trump does not want a good lawyer.
McGahn resigned, rather carry out Trump’s directive to fire Mueller.
Trump did not need Cohen to tell him this was illegal.
Here is what Trump said in the past, “I think nobody knows more about campaign finance that I do, because I’m the biggest contributor.”
Trump did not want a lawyer to tell him what was legal, he wanted a lawyer to do his dirty work. Not agreeing with Trump would get you fired: ask, Marvin Roffman and Jim Mattis.
Massie, a former executive judge, does not have good judgment based on his choleric and inane arguments at this hearing and this:
In 2017, he co-sponsored a bill to abolish the Environmental Protection Agency; so, he is; a very bad [evil] judge and congressman.
Massie, like Trump, does not believe in the laws of Nature. Massie also voted to repeal the Stream Protection Rule and against the Undetected Firearms Act.
Massie, after rebuking Cohen for being a bad lawyer, yields the rest of his time to Mr. Higgins who wanted to know where the boxes of evidence were. He did not realize that the attorney for the SDNY had, already, seen them. He shot himself in the foot.
What is happening here: Republicans are looking for evidence to undermine Cohen’s credibility, rather than, ask questions about Trump involvement in these crimes, as a businessman and POTUS, to strengthen the case for his indictment or impeachment. Starr report veteran says Trump’s crimes are a ‘thousandfold’ worse [than Bill Clinton’s}. Then, House Republicans voted for it.
---------------------------
I would like to add something that came out in the Mueller Report: Don McGahn, Special Counsel to the President, advised him not to meddle in the Mueller investigation: he done it anyways: further proof, Trump does not want a good lawyer.
McGahn resigned, rather carry out Trump’s directive to fire Mueller.
16. Mr. Krishnamoorthi D-IL thanked Cohen for voluntarily testifying. His questions were pertinent, about the use of NDAs to silence people. He asked, Trump used these NDAs extensively, isn’t that right? Cohen answered, yes. He mentioned a class‑action lawsuit filed by former campaign worker -- that says, the language Trump uses in his NDAs is too broad and could be used to prevent people from coming forth to complain of illegality or wrongdoing. He asked Cohen is that true? He answered, yes. It should be illegal for government officials to use non-disclosure agreements to silence their staff from reporting wrongdoing. And, he asked nothing at the Trump Organization was ever done unless it was run through President Trump? Cohen answered, “that is 100% certain.”
Krishnamoorthi asked, was he aware of other illegal acts by Donald Trump that we have not discussed yet? Cohen answered, Yes, but could not answer; because, it was under investigation by the SDNY. There is more to this; than, the Mueller investigation.
It was limited and partial:
It required Trump’s aides, like Cohen, to testify orally, and Trump in writing and more than a year after Cohen, allowing Trump to modify his answers to Mueller’s questions to conform to the unraveling of his web of lies, during the interim; whereas, Cohen and others upheld the original narrative. That gave Trump preferential-extra-legal-protection.
That is defective Mueller and SDNY justice. “It has favorites, it missed the mark, it missed the truth” – as Bridget Anne Kelly said.
Her conviction parallels Cohen’s.
Krishnamoorthi asked, was he aware of other illegal acts by Donald Trump that we have not discussed yet? Cohen answered, Yes, but could not answer; because, it was under investigation by the SDNY. There is more to this; than, the Mueller investigation.
It was limited and partial:
It required Trump’s aides, like Cohen, to testify orally, and Trump in writing and more than a year after Cohen, allowing Trump to modify his answers to Mueller’s questions to conform to the unraveling of his web of lies, during the interim; whereas, Cohen and others upheld the original narrative. That gave Trump preferential-extra-legal-protection.
That is defective Mueller and SDNY justice. “It has favorites, it missed the mark, it missed the truth” – as Bridget Anne Kelly said.
Her conviction parallels Cohen’s.
17. Mr. Cloud R-TX asked Cohen for the record, state what you have been convicted of? Why again: Jordan, Green, Gomer, Foxx and Massie; already, have mentioned his crimes. That is over kill. And, Cloud asked Cohen, if wanted a job in the White House? That is also a repeat question. They want to catch Cohen in lie. Cohen answered, no and began to explain why… Cloud reclaimed his time cutting him off -- to submit a sentencing memo from the SDNY which stated he did. He is acting, as Trump’s defense lawyer in House, attempting to destroy Cohen’s credibility testifying against Trump. Cloud said, we are in a search for the truth, but it was not for the truth about Trump’s crimes, it was a coordinated attack by Republicans on Cohen’s answers. Cohen wanted to say something and Cloud cut him off again—and yielded his time to Meadows, the GOP madman.
Meadows brought up the Truth in Testimony Disclosure Form: he, states; emphatically, Cohen falsely answered it and signed it.
You see, Republicans are using this hearing to discredit Cohen who is revealing President Trump’s involvement in his crimes. Meadows claims Cohen lied, committing a felony. He mentioned that Cohen admitted; previously, he had foreign contracts, why didn’t he list them on the form. Cohen thought that question was unwarranted and said, he did not have an answer. Chairman Cummings interrupted and told Meadows his time was up, and he became incensed -- insisting on an answer. Cummings had to interrupt a second time, telling Meadows he was out of order, and Meadows said, “he is under oath”* and Cumming said, he [Cohen] said, “he did not have answer” and turned the hearing over to Mr. Raskin.
* Meadows is wrong!
The term “under oath” does not mean you have to answer undue questions. It means, you have to tell the truth, when answering questions. Cohen is not under investigation for foreign contracts. Chairman Cummings said at the beginning, the scope of this hearing was limited to what Cohen was willing to answer.
So, Meadows anger is misplaced.
He set up an ambush that failed.
It constitutes an abuse of power.
Meadows brought up the Truth in Testimony Disclosure Form: he, states; emphatically, Cohen falsely answered it and signed it.
You see, Republicans are using this hearing to discredit Cohen who is revealing President Trump’s involvement in his crimes. Meadows claims Cohen lied, committing a felony. He mentioned that Cohen admitted; previously, he had foreign contracts, why didn’t he list them on the form. Cohen thought that question was unwarranted and said, he did not have an answer. Chairman Cummings interrupted and told Meadows his time was up, and he became incensed -- insisting on an answer. Cummings had to interrupt a second time, telling Meadows he was out of order, and Meadows said, “he is under oath”* and Cumming said, he [Cohen] said, “he did not have answer” and turned the hearing over to Mr. Raskin.
* Meadows is wrong!
The term “under oath” does not mean you have to answer undue questions. It means, you have to tell the truth, when answering questions. Cohen is not under investigation for foreign contracts. Chairman Cummings said at the beginning, the scope of this hearing was limited to what Cohen was willing to answer.
So, Meadows anger is misplaced.
He set up an ambush that failed.
It constitutes an abuse of power.
18. Mr. Raskin D-MY thanked Cohen for his composure and told him, Republicans are not upset because you lied to Congress for the President, but, because, you stopped lying for him. His questions were on the rails: he wanted to know about the hush money payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. Cohen gave details how it was handled that included Trump’s involvement. The reason this is relevant: Trump denied both and said Daniels was lying. She took a lie-detector test and passed. Obviously, Trump is the liar, regarding, both of these illicit affairs.
Here what he said, “The [Stormy Daniels] agreement was used to stop the false and extortionist accusations made by her about an affair” -- “a total con job.”
She sued for libel and Judge S. James Otero ruled this is rhetorical hyperbole – protected by the First Amendment and her suit dismissed. He is wrong. Rhetoric and lying are not the same. She was not given a chance to prove her case against the President.
Trump would not pay $420K to quash it, if, it was false.
Why is Cohen’s lying to Congress a crime and President Trump’s lying to the American people not a crime: Isn’t telling the truth—a requirement of the Oath of Office?
Republicans are obsessed with Cohen’s lying -- not Trump’s. Habitual lying by the US President should be an impeachable offense.
Trump lies with impunity, according the Washington Post fact-checkers, surpassed 10,000 lies or misleading statements on 4/29/19. That is unacceptable! The President of the U.S. should be held to higher standard.
Raskin, then, asked, is it true your claim: the lawyers of Trump altered your statement to Congress? Cohen answered, yes.
If, Trump and his lawyers read, approved, the untrue version and/or altered it, they are also guilty, in different varying degrees.
Here what he said, “The [Stormy Daniels] agreement was used to stop the false and extortionist accusations made by her about an affair” -- “a total con job.”
She sued for libel and Judge S. James Otero ruled this is rhetorical hyperbole – protected by the First Amendment and her suit dismissed. He is wrong. Rhetoric and lying are not the same. She was not given a chance to prove her case against the President.
Trump would not pay $420K to quash it, if, it was false.
Why is Cohen’s lying to Congress a crime and President Trump’s lying to the American people not a crime: Isn’t telling the truth—a requirement of the Oath of Office?
Republicans are obsessed with Cohen’s lying -- not Trump’s. Habitual lying by the US President should be an impeachable offense.
Trump lies with impunity, according the Washington Post fact-checkers, surpassed 10,000 lies or misleading statements on 4/29/19. That is unacceptable! The President of the U.S. should be held to higher standard.
Raskin, then, asked, is it true your claim: the lawyers of Trump altered your statement to Congress? Cohen answered, yes.
If, Trump and his lawyers read, approved, the untrue version and/or altered it, they are also guilty, in different varying degrees.
19. Mr. Grothman R-WI was critical of some of Cohen’s statements and asked, Does Cohen expect some benefit from his testimony – here? Cohen answered, this hearing is not the basis for a Rule 35 motion. He yielded to Jordan, he yielded to Meadows:
Mr. Meadows, the GOP madman, can’t get over, he thinks Cohen answered; falsely, a question on the Truth in Testimony Disclosure Form and wants to know if, he had any contracts with foreign entities. Cohen claims he understood the form question; differently, and said, he would look at it again and amend his answer, if he was wrong.
I did look at the form again, it says, list government contracts, if you are a non-‑government witness, related to the hearing’s subject matter: which means: Cohen does not have to list contracts private or governmental; because, the hearing is not an investigation into Cohen’s contracts with foreign entities: it is a hearing of the House Oversight and Reform Committee to learn about what Cohen knew about Trump’s criminal behavior as a business man, candidate and President and recommend steps to bring Trump to justice, if there is evidence of wrongdoing.
I did an Internet search for the form Cohen signed and could not find it. The reason it is relevant: it has a box labeled: Hearing Title; if, it does not state in that box—the purpose of the hearing is an investigation into Cohen’s foreign contracts: Meadows is wrong.
Trump’s 2017 Financial Disclosure Form did not include the money he owed Cohen for paying off Stormy Daniels. Why doesn’t that brother Meadows? It was amended in 2018; but, not fully and correctly. Trump lied twice to the GOE.
There seems to be double standard -- here.
Mr. Meadows got testy and asked this question: Did John Dean advise you to delay submitting your transcript to the committee? He said, no, we were making edits until 11 or 12 pm. Meadows responded, “don’t give me that bull.”
That is the second half:
Mr. Meadows, the GOP madman, can’t get over, he thinks Cohen answered; falsely, a question on the Truth in Testimony Disclosure Form and wants to know if, he had any contracts with foreign entities. Cohen claims he understood the form question; differently, and said, he would look at it again and amend his answer, if he was wrong.
I did look at the form again, it says, list government contracts, if you are a non-‑government witness, related to the hearing’s subject matter: which means: Cohen does not have to list contracts private or governmental; because, the hearing is not an investigation into Cohen’s contracts with foreign entities: it is a hearing of the House Oversight and Reform Committee to learn about what Cohen knew about Trump’s criminal behavior as a business man, candidate and President and recommend steps to bring Trump to justice, if there is evidence of wrongdoing.
I did an Internet search for the form Cohen signed and could not find it. The reason it is relevant: it has a box labeled: Hearing Title; if, it does not state in that box—the purpose of the hearing is an investigation into Cohen’s foreign contracts: Meadows is wrong.
Trump’s 2017 Financial Disclosure Form did not include the money he owed Cohen for paying off Stormy Daniels. Why doesn’t that brother Meadows? It was amended in 2018; but, not fully and correctly. Trump lied twice to the GOE.
There seems to be double standard -- here.
Mr. Meadows got testy and asked this question: Did John Dean advise you to delay submitting your transcript to the committee? He said, no, we were making edits until 11 or 12 pm. Meadows responded, “don’t give me that bull.”
That is the second half:
20. Mr. Rouda D-CA asked about a failed Trump project in Fort Lauderdale and said, Trump under oath was asked about his relationship with Felix Sater, a convicted Russian mobster, and he answered, ”if, he were sitting in the room; right now, he, really, would not know what he looked like.” Cohen revealed, he had an office in the Trump Tower, that shows Trump’s deceitfulness. He was Trump’s business partner in the past and his office became Cohen’s.
Rouda asked, where can we find information about Trump’s business dealings with Felix Sater? Cohen answered in the Trump Organization’s files.
Rouda asked, where can we find information about Trump’s business dealings with Felix Sater? Cohen answered in the Trump Organization’s files.
21. Mr. Amash R-MI asked Cohen, why Trump hired him and it sounded like this: Trump liked the way he performed jobs at a lower and medium level and became a trusted Don, like in the Mafia; like, Rep. Jordan, became the ranking republican on the House Oversight and Reform Committee, loyalty to the party, and its agenda, keeping Trump in power [and out of prison].
The difference between the two: Cohen repented—Jordan continues to be an ally of Trump, vehemently, defending him at this hearing.
Amash asked Cohen, how does Trump direct you? Cohen answered, “he speaks in a code and I understand that code.” That probably means: if you don’t respond to his Dog Whistle (i.e., to his satisfaction), you will be fired.
Amash said, I don’t know; whether, we should believe you – today. I would ask Amash, does he believe the list of documents Cohen submitted to the hearing?
Amash, lastly, ask Cohen, are you following a different set of principles --now? Cohen said, “I do, I am trying, I am trying very hard.”
Maybe, this will help you to believe….
The difference between the two: Cohen repented—Jordan continues to be an ally of Trump, vehemently, defending him at this hearing.
Amash asked Cohen, how does Trump direct you? Cohen answered, “he speaks in a code and I understand that code.” That probably means: if you don’t respond to his Dog Whistle (i.e., to his satisfaction), you will be fired.
Amash said, I don’t know; whether, we should believe you – today. I would ask Amash, does he believe the list of documents Cohen submitted to the hearing?
Amash, lastly, ask Cohen, are you following a different set of principles --now? Cohen said, “I do, I am trying, I am trying very hard.”
Maybe, this will help you to believe….
22. Ms. Hill D-CA first said, she wanted to make a clarification, regarding, the Truth in Testimony Disclosure Form. She says, you don’t have to list all foreign contracts, just government. So, Meadows lied saying, “It says, non-governmental.”
To be sure, I read the form myself, it says, if, you are a non-governmental witness: Do you have foreign government contracts? Meadows—misread it.
So, if you go back to the conversation that Cohen had with Meadows: Cohen was right—Meadows insisted he must list all contracts with foreign entities.
Cohen said, he thought non-governmental meant me and foreign contracts: meant government—not non‑governmental. He was right.
Secondly, Hill said, I ask these questions to determine whether our president committed felony crimes while in office and asked, Did Trump know about the payments to Ms. Clifford? He said, yes. That means: Trump lied—on Air Force One, when asked; he said, no. She further asked, what proof can you give us? He said, he received a total of 11 reimbursement checks from Trump or his Trust. She asked, what the president wanted you to say about the payments? He answered, he was not knowledgeable. So, Trump is guilty of the same crime that Cohen was convicted of.
The SDNY is guilty of incomplete justice: convicting the employee of a crime and not the employer, who ordered and paid for it for his benefit.
The signed checks are indisputable.
To be sure, I read the form myself, it says, if, you are a non-governmental witness: Do you have foreign government contracts? Meadows—misread it.
So, if you go back to the conversation that Cohen had with Meadows: Cohen was right—Meadows insisted he must list all contracts with foreign entities.
Cohen said, he thought non-governmental meant me and foreign contracts: meant government—not non‑governmental. He was right.
Secondly, Hill said, I ask these questions to determine whether our president committed felony crimes while in office and asked, Did Trump know about the payments to Ms. Clifford? He said, yes. That means: Trump lied—on Air Force One, when asked; he said, no. She further asked, what proof can you give us? He said, he received a total of 11 reimbursement checks from Trump or his Trust. She asked, what the president wanted you to say about the payments? He answered, he was not knowledgeable. So, Trump is guilty of the same crime that Cohen was convicted of.
The SDNY is guilty of incomplete justice: convicting the employee of a crime and not the employer, who ordered and paid for it for his benefit.
The signed checks are indisputable.
23. Mr. Gibbs R-OH does not agree with Cohen’s description of President Trump; he says, “he is trying to make America better for every American.”
A recent Quinnipac university poll asked: Do you think President. Trump cares about average Americans? 58% said, no.
Bob Gibbs is delusional.
This picture below is from an article in Mother Jones : artist: Andre Carrilho-- How Trump Turned Tax Day into a Giveaway for the Top 1 Percent.
A recent Quinnipac university poll asked: Do you think President. Trump cares about average Americans? 58% said, no.
Bob Gibbs is delusional.
This picture below is from an article in Mother Jones : artist: Andre Carrilho-- How Trump Turned Tax Day into a Giveaway for the Top 1 Percent.
Trump is depicted at the top, along with his family, and friends benefiting from his tax cuts; mostly, on the rich. Artist – Andre Corrilho
Trump said, “It’s going to cost me a fortune, this thing. Believe me.”
He lied to the American people. According to the NY Times, Trump could save more than $11 million—[annually].
I would like to submit an article from Inequality.org, Scoring Trump’s Tax Cuts So Far: $280,000 for Rich Lawmakers and Pennies for workers.
Some families with many dependents will pay more.
Gibbs voted for HR 1.
It will add $1.7 trillion to the federal debt by 2027.
Trump as a real estate developer catered to people can afford to live in Trump Towers and play golf: he built no units for median and lower income families. He deals only in luxury properties.
If, Trump wanted to make America better for everyone, he would pay those workers and contractors that did work for him, that did not get paid or under paid. Our bankruptcy laws are corrupt allowing Trump to keep millions before paying off contractors and employees.
Truman, after declaring bankruptcy paid off debtors, and now, that Trump is a billionaire – he can afford it.
But, Trump is not fair-minded.
I want to put into the record an article from USA Today: Trump Does Not Pay His Bills: dishwashers, painters, waiters, contractors, etc. -- and is facing at least 60 lawsuits, along with hundreds of liens, and judgments.
Here is what Charles Baker said, one of the 3,000 employees that lost their jobs when the Taj Mahal, a Trump built casino closed its doors, “I don’t believe anything he says, he took his money and left. I don’t see him doing anything great for America.”
His great economy is based on not paying $1 trillion in government expenses every year. He runs the government like it was the Taj Mahal.
At the top of the above picture: Trump is playing golf: it has cost the American taxpayer $110 million for the first 2 years and 6 months ….
Trump promised, he would never golf. He lied.
He should be forced to pick up the tab!
When the president’s salary is $400 thousand a year: to spent $110,000,000 of taxpayer money on golf vacations at his resorts in 2 & ½ years that is astronomically excessive: voters should sue to get that money back, when he told voters, “I just want to stay in the White House and work my ass off.”
On the contrary, Trump spent 22% of his time at his golf resorts. He has made 24 trips to Mar-a-Lago costing taxpayers $3.4 million each. According to ProPublica, he charged taxpayers $546 a night, triple the rate, for 24 officials stayed there during the Chinese President Xi’s visit. He makes money by charging taxpayer for rooms, food, and drink for his staff, officials, and the Secret Service that travel with him, when he visit his golf resorts.
His [detour] vacation to his Ireland golf resort--$3.5 million.
He spends $1 million for 4 limos for 2 days.
Trump is promoting his different golf properties by his golf vacations taken on Air Force One at taxpayer expense. That is malfeasance, because, he said, he would not.
Taxpayers are not only paying for Trump, but, also his entourage: Air Force One and cargo planes to transport his armored limousine and other vehicles for his motorcade when he travels.
And, the Trump Administrations refuses to tell the cost.
He travels on Air Force One; almost every day, some weeks, either, to attend events, to make political rallies, to golf resorts, and foreign countries and you going to be shock when you discover the Total Cost of:
Helicopters, accompanying jets, cargo planes, and vehicles used in addition to Air Force One.
He said, if, you knew president Trump was a conman and racist: Why, didn’t you leave? If, Gibbs was listening to Cohen opening statement he would have heard Cohen answer that question: he was “motivated by ambition.” I would ask Mr. Gibbs, why he is still defending the President—after all the bad and stupid things he has done: the difference between the two: Cohen has repented: Mr. Gibbs has not: he continues to be loyal member of the republican rich men’s club in Congress defending the unfit and corrupt minded President at this hearing. He is a hypocrite.
Gibbs thought the hearing was a sinister plot against the president. Cohen tried to explain and Gibbs cut him off; like, other Republicans, and he yielded the rest of his time to Jordan, the go-to GOP attack dog. It is the sixth time, Republicans on the panel, yielded to Jordan, the ranking committee member at this hearing, for the purpose of attacking Cohen’s testimony and credibility.
Trump said, “It’s going to cost me a fortune, this thing. Believe me.”
He lied to the American people. According to the NY Times, Trump could save more than $11 million—[annually].
I would like to submit an article from Inequality.org, Scoring Trump’s Tax Cuts So Far: $280,000 for Rich Lawmakers and Pennies for workers.
Some families with many dependents will pay more.
Gibbs voted for HR 1.
It will add $1.7 trillion to the federal debt by 2027.
Trump as a real estate developer catered to people can afford to live in Trump Towers and play golf: he built no units for median and lower income families. He deals only in luxury properties.
If, Trump wanted to make America better for everyone, he would pay those workers and contractors that did work for him, that did not get paid or under paid. Our bankruptcy laws are corrupt allowing Trump to keep millions before paying off contractors and employees.
Truman, after declaring bankruptcy paid off debtors, and now, that Trump is a billionaire – he can afford it.
But, Trump is not fair-minded.
I want to put into the record an article from USA Today: Trump Does Not Pay His Bills: dishwashers, painters, waiters, contractors, etc. -- and is facing at least 60 lawsuits, along with hundreds of liens, and judgments.
Here is what Charles Baker said, one of the 3,000 employees that lost their jobs when the Taj Mahal, a Trump built casino closed its doors, “I don’t believe anything he says, he took his money and left. I don’t see him doing anything great for America.”
His great economy is based on not paying $1 trillion in government expenses every year. He runs the government like it was the Taj Mahal.
At the top of the above picture: Trump is playing golf: it has cost the American taxpayer $110 million for the first 2 years and 6 months ….
Trump promised, he would never golf. He lied.
He should be forced to pick up the tab!
When the president’s salary is $400 thousand a year: to spent $110,000,000 of taxpayer money on golf vacations at his resorts in 2 & ½ years that is astronomically excessive: voters should sue to get that money back, when he told voters, “I just want to stay in the White House and work my ass off.”
On the contrary, Trump spent 22% of his time at his golf resorts. He has made 24 trips to Mar-a-Lago costing taxpayers $3.4 million each. According to ProPublica, he charged taxpayers $546 a night, triple the rate, for 24 officials stayed there during the Chinese President Xi’s visit. He makes money by charging taxpayer for rooms, food, and drink for his staff, officials, and the Secret Service that travel with him, when he visit his golf resorts.
His [detour] vacation to his Ireland golf resort--$3.5 million.
He spends $1 million for 4 limos for 2 days.
Trump is promoting his different golf properties by his golf vacations taken on Air Force One at taxpayer expense. That is malfeasance, because, he said, he would not.
Taxpayers are not only paying for Trump, but, also his entourage: Air Force One and cargo planes to transport his armored limousine and other vehicles for his motorcade when he travels.
And, the Trump Administrations refuses to tell the cost.
He travels on Air Force One; almost every day, some weeks, either, to attend events, to make political rallies, to golf resorts, and foreign countries and you going to be shock when you discover the Total Cost of:
Helicopters, accompanying jets, cargo planes, and vehicles used in addition to Air Force One.
He said, if, you knew president Trump was a conman and racist: Why, didn’t you leave? If, Gibbs was listening to Cohen opening statement he would have heard Cohen answer that question: he was “motivated by ambition.” I would ask Mr. Gibbs, why he is still defending the President—after all the bad and stupid things he has done: the difference between the two: Cohen has repented: Mr. Gibbs has not: he continues to be loyal member of the republican rich men’s club in Congress defending the unfit and corrupt minded President at this hearing. He is a hypocrite.
Gibbs thought the hearing was a sinister plot against the president. Cohen tried to explain and Gibbs cut him off; like, other Republicans, and he yielded the rest of his time to Jordan, the go-to GOP attack dog. It is the sixth time, Republicans on the panel, yielded to Jordan, the ranking committee member at this hearing, for the purpose of attacking Cohen’s testimony and credibility.
24. Mr. Sarbanes D-MY explained: Cohen is credible, because, he would lose by lying and gain by telling the truth—and had document back up. That makes sense: And, he asked, why, didn’t you protest the editing of your statement to the Intelligence Committee by Trump lawyers? He said, he didn’t, because, that was the goal--to stay on message: there were no Russian contacts, no Russian deals.
That join defense agreement forced Cohen to lie to Congress. He was the scapegoat for the President.
He set the untrue testimony [or narrative] in place.
The untrue testimony protected Trump, not Cohen.
Sarbanes saw Cohen’s testimony to the House as helpful and credible, contrary to the Republicans on the House committee, saying, it showed us how the Trump world operated. And, he asked him, was it true, an article in ProPublica, up charging occurred at Trump’s D.C. Hotel prior to the inauguration? And, Cohen said, even, he could not afford to stay there (i.e., a yes).
Trump also doubled membership fee at Mar-a-Lago.
I believe this refers to the; possible, violation of the emoluments cause: several lawsuits have been filed. There may be other such violations, Trump benefiting; financially, in his businesses: foreign and domestic: by reason of his presidency—not approved by Congress.
The problem: there may be a conflict of interest.
Trump has not put his business empire into a Blind Trust, like, other presidents: he wants to be a business tycoon and the U.S. President.
That join defense agreement forced Cohen to lie to Congress. He was the scapegoat for the President.
He set the untrue testimony [or narrative] in place.
The untrue testimony protected Trump, not Cohen.
Sarbanes saw Cohen’s testimony to the House as helpful and credible, contrary to the Republicans on the House committee, saying, it showed us how the Trump world operated. And, he asked him, was it true, an article in ProPublica, up charging occurred at Trump’s D.C. Hotel prior to the inauguration? And, Cohen said, even, he could not afford to stay there (i.e., a yes).
Trump also doubled membership fee at Mar-a-Lago.
I believe this refers to the; possible, violation of the emoluments cause: several lawsuits have been filed. There may be other such violations, Trump benefiting; financially, in his businesses: foreign and domestic: by reason of his presidency—not approved by Congress.
The problem: there may be a conflict of interest.
Trump has not put his business empire into a Blind Trust, like, other presidents: he wants to be a business tycoon and the U.S. President.
25. Mr. Higgins R-LA claims he has arrested thousands of men who have committed crimes, repented, and returned to their former self and he said, that is my sense of you [Cohen]; therefore, I question his good sense. He said that Cohen brushed him off, when he asked; previously, where were the boxes of evidence. That is not what happened. The Chairman said his time was up and Cohen did not have time to answer and was baffled by the question.
And, he asks again, where are the boxes of evidence that you searched to back up your testimony? Cohen replied, these boxes were seized by the FBI from my law office for the SDNY probe and returned to me. Higgins asked the chairman to take action and seize them again. He should have dropped that request, after Cohen told him, authorities had already seen them. Higgins, a former police officer, used excessive force in one of his arrest and gave false testimony and resigned. We see the same person here—today: he wanted to arrest Cohen, rather than Trump, the Boss behind his crimes.
Higgins says, I really did not know who Cohen was until today; he should do his homework first, before acting like a high-judge in the House.
He faced a witness that has incriminating evidence of crimes committed by the US President and did not ask one question about them: he is a bad cop.
The reason, Trump is a Republican.
The facts – did not deter his redundant errant impulsive behavior.
Higgins gave his remaining time to Jordan, the go-to GOP attack dog, who asked Cohen, is this SDNY sentencing memo a lie, stating, you wanted a job in the White House? Cohen replied it is not accurate. Whether, he wanted a job in the White House or not is irrelevant. Jordan wasted the committee’s time. Not once, has he proven, anything, Cohen said about Trump that is false
Eleven Republicans: Jordan, Green, Gomer, Meadows, Hice, Goser, Foxx, Massie, Cloud, Gibbs and Higgins; so far, have cast Cohen as an incorrigible liar.
They are attacking the whistleblower, the good guy.
And, he asks again, where are the boxes of evidence that you searched to back up your testimony? Cohen replied, these boxes were seized by the FBI from my law office for the SDNY probe and returned to me. Higgins asked the chairman to take action and seize them again. He should have dropped that request, after Cohen told him, authorities had already seen them. Higgins, a former police officer, used excessive force in one of his arrest and gave false testimony and resigned. We see the same person here—today: he wanted to arrest Cohen, rather than Trump, the Boss behind his crimes.
Higgins says, I really did not know who Cohen was until today; he should do his homework first, before acting like a high-judge in the House.
He faced a witness that has incriminating evidence of crimes committed by the US President and did not ask one question about them: he is a bad cop.
The reason, Trump is a Republican.
The facts – did not deter his redundant errant impulsive behavior.
Higgins gave his remaining time to Jordan, the go-to GOP attack dog, who asked Cohen, is this SDNY sentencing memo a lie, stating, you wanted a job in the White House? Cohen replied it is not accurate. Whether, he wanted a job in the White House or not is irrelevant. Jordan wasted the committee’s time. Not once, has he proven, anything, Cohen said about Trump that is false
Eleven Republicans: Jordan, Green, Gomer, Meadows, Hice, Goser, Foxx, Massie, Cloud, Gibbs and Higgins; so far, have cast Cohen as an incorrigible liar.
They are attacking the whistleblower, the good guy.
26. Mr. Welch D-VT asked about Roger Stone phone call to Trump: the reason: Trump, previously, denied he ever spoke to Stone about stolen emails from the democratic committee: Cohen, said he was in Trump’s office and heard the conversation on the speaker phone. Welch asked, what did Mr. Stone say to Trump? Cohen answered, he just got off the phone with Julian Assange and there was going be a massive dump of emails that is going the hurt the Clinton campaign.
That incident occurred in July of 2016 in Trump’s office.
Welch, then mentioned January of this year, the NY Times asked Trump if he ever spoke to Roger Stone about the email—dump. He said, “No, I didn’t, I never did.” He then asked Cohen is that statement true? Cohen answered, no, it is not accurate.
And, Welch asked, who else would know about this phone call? Cohen answered, Rona Graff, his assistant, who yelled to Trump, “Roger is on line 1.”
Roger Stone, an ally of Donald Trump, has been indicted for lying to Congress, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering and may cooperate with the DOJ. He has, yet, to be convicted. Stone is also weighing, if, convicted, he might get a pardon from Trump.
In November, 2019, Roger Stone was convicted of 7 felonies and sentenced to 40 months in prison.
A pardon from Trump would be improper; since, they both are linked to same crime: illegally soliciting a campaign contribution from a foreign national.
That incident occurred in July of 2016 in Trump’s office.
Welch, then mentioned January of this year, the NY Times asked Trump if he ever spoke to Roger Stone about the email—dump. He said, “No, I didn’t, I never did.” He then asked Cohen is that statement true? Cohen answered, no, it is not accurate.
And, Welch asked, who else would know about this phone call? Cohen answered, Rona Graff, his assistant, who yelled to Trump, “Roger is on line 1.”
Roger Stone, an ally of Donald Trump, has been indicted for lying to Congress, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering and may cooperate with the DOJ. He has, yet, to be convicted. Stone is also weighing, if, convicted, he might get a pardon from Trump.
In November, 2019, Roger Stone was convicted of 7 felonies and sentenced to 40 months in prison.
A pardon from Trump would be improper; since, they both are linked to same crime: illegally soliciting a campaign contribution from a foreign national.
27. Mr. Norman R-SC mentioned certain crimes that Cohen committing and said these were for you. Yes, tax evasion and bank fraud, but he failed to mention the two he committed at Trump’s behest: the violation of campaign finance law and lying to Congress. Norman was only half-truthful. Cohen has pled guilty to these, why bring it up. He also scolded Cohen for violating attorney client privilege by secretly recording some of them; particularly, Trump’s: the reason I suspect: he did not trust him; something, former FBI director, James Comey should have done. He wasted the hearing’s time—by rehashing Cohen’s crimes rather, than learning about Trump’s alleged crimes: the use of NDAs to silence people from coming forth with wrongdoing, unethical business practices [cheating people], breaking international treaties without the advice and consent of the Senate [and member nations], his thousands of lies, obstructing justice, his son’s first date with collusion, campaign finance violations, suborning perjury, threats [witness tampering], slander, tax fraud, bank fraud, wasting taxpayer money, stonewalling, cronyism, and other abuses of power. Sixty-four percent of voters think he committed crimes. When, Republicans were in power no action was taken and no Republican on this panel have used their time to ask Cohen, Trump’s lawyer, special counsel, and vice president of the Trump Organization, about any of these alleged crimes.
They are acting deaf, dumb, and blind.
They are acting deaf, dumb, and blind.
29. Ms. Miller R-WV says, I find this hearing not in the best interest of the American people: she is wrong. Chairman Cummings said, it is the constitutional responsibility of the House Oversight and Reform Committee to investigate Trump’s alleged crimes. It broke a record for the number of viewers. People wanted to hear what Cohen knew about Trump. So, women and men can be corrupted for financial gain and power in private and in the Congress. She said, this was a political game for the sole purpose of discrediting the President. No, the people have a right to know if the president is a crook. She says, we can’t believe anything that Cohen is saying. She is wrong: some things, he said, has already been verified; such as, Fordham University and N.Y. Military Academy admitted: they were threatened to keep Trump’s grades hidden. And, a recent poll: found voters believe Cohen, more than, Trump!
She read a script, vilifying Cohen from beginning to end and said, I am appalled, we could be focusing on actual issues facing America, like, border security, neonatal abstinence syndrome, or repairing our crumbling infrastructure. Listen, the House has 435 members and has over 100 different committees and can do more than one thing at a time. It only expended 42 members on this hearing for 1 day. There are few things more important than investigating Trump’s culture of corruptness and fitness to serve in the White House. She was worried, Cohen, a convicted criminal and liar, might make money with a book deal. She does not give him credit for changing from Trump’s fixer to informant. She said the hearing was a waste of taxpayer money. That is not true.
What is a waste of taxpayer money: every time Trump flies to Mar-a-Lago. One trip; probably, cost more that the Cohen Hearing.
The way Republicans view Cohen: we can’t believe anything he says; then, contradict themselves, by believing: he told the truth, when he pled guilty.
Ms. Miller is also a GOP flunky, casting the same dispersions as Ms. Foxx, and after reading her spiel from the Republican playbook, gave her remaining time to Jordan, the go‑to GOP attack dog, who tried to discredit Cohen—for the eighth time.
She read a script, vilifying Cohen from beginning to end and said, I am appalled, we could be focusing on actual issues facing America, like, border security, neonatal abstinence syndrome, or repairing our crumbling infrastructure. Listen, the House has 435 members and has over 100 different committees and can do more than one thing at a time. It only expended 42 members on this hearing for 1 day. There are few things more important than investigating Trump’s culture of corruptness and fitness to serve in the White House. She was worried, Cohen, a convicted criminal and liar, might make money with a book deal. She does not give him credit for changing from Trump’s fixer to informant. She said the hearing was a waste of taxpayer money. That is not true.
What is a waste of taxpayer money: every time Trump flies to Mar-a-Lago. One trip; probably, cost more that the Cohen Hearing.
The way Republicans view Cohen: we can’t believe anything he says; then, contradict themselves, by believing: he told the truth, when he pled guilty.
Ms. Miller is also a GOP flunky, casting the same dispersions as Ms. Foxx, and after reading her spiel from the Republican playbook, gave her remaining time to Jordan, the go‑to GOP attack dog, who tried to discredit Cohen—for the eighth time.
30. Ms. Kelly D-IL asked how the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniel was made: Cohen said a shell company, called Essential Consultants, was set up to hide who made the payment and the funds came from his home equity line of credit: a wire transfer of that payment to her lawyer: exhibit 4.
This is a violation of campaign finance law. Essential Consultants is a LLC, corporations are not allowed to make campaign contributions and besides that: the limit is $2,700 for an individual.
The payment was a political campaign contribution, because, it was done: to prevent damage to Trump’s political campaign, not for personal reasons.
The second part: Cohen reimbursement: $130K for the payment made to Ms. Clifford, plus $130K for the increase in his income tax liability, grossed up $50K [for something], and a $60,000 bonus, which was paid by eleven installments over a period of a year to look like—a retainer fee.
Kelly made a mistake: her figures totaled: $370K. Ten checks for $35K and one check for $70K equals $420K: $50,000 is missing.
Kelly asked who can corroborate this? Cohen said, Keith Davidson, Allen Weisselberg. And, she asked, Did President Trump know about this? Yes, he knew about everything.
Here is one of President Trump’s lies, “I don’t do cover-ups.”
This is a violation of campaign finance law. Essential Consultants is a LLC, corporations are not allowed to make campaign contributions and besides that: the limit is $2,700 for an individual.
The payment was a political campaign contribution, because, it was done: to prevent damage to Trump’s political campaign, not for personal reasons.
The second part: Cohen reimbursement: $130K for the payment made to Ms. Clifford, plus $130K for the increase in his income tax liability, grossed up $50K [for something], and a $60,000 bonus, which was paid by eleven installments over a period of a year to look like—a retainer fee.
Kelly made a mistake: her figures totaled: $370K. Ten checks for $35K and one check for $70K equals $420K: $50,000 is missing.
Kelly asked who can corroborate this? Cohen said, Keith Davidson, Allen Weisselberg. And, she asked, Did President Trump know about this? Yes, he knew about everything.
Here is one of President Trump’s lies, “I don’t do cover-ups.”
32. Mr. DeSaulnier D-CA stayed on topic: his questions did establish negotiations to build a Trump Tower in Moscow continued during the campaign, according to Cohen, his personal lawyer, which Trump denied, saying there is no Russian deal. Cohen upheld that story when he testified before the Senate in September of 2017 and was convicted of lying.
DeSaulnier, on a different subject, asked Cohen about a story published in the Wall Street Journal. Cohen admitted hiring and paying a pollster to rig two online polls—boosting Trump’s ranking. DeSaulnier asked, did the President have any involvement? Cohen answered, yes. This shows Trump will do anything to enhance his image – including bribery. If, this was done in 2014 to make Trump more electable, it would be a violation of campaign finance law.
Cohen tweeted:
"As for the @WSJ article on poll rigging, what I did was at the direction of and for the sole benefit of @realDonaldTrump @POTUS," Cohen said. "I truly regret my blind loyalty to a man who doesn't deserve it."
DeSaulnier did not dig deeper into this story.
This was not a crime Cohen was convicted of.
DeSaulnier, on a different subject, asked Cohen about a story published in the Wall Street Journal. Cohen admitted hiring and paying a pollster to rig two online polls—boosting Trump’s ranking. DeSaulnier asked, did the President have any involvement? Cohen answered, yes. This shows Trump will do anything to enhance his image – including bribery. If, this was done in 2014 to make Trump more electable, it would be a violation of campaign finance law.
Cohen tweeted:
"As for the @WSJ article on poll rigging, what I did was at the direction of and for the sole benefit of @realDonaldTrump @POTUS," Cohen said. "I truly regret my blind loyalty to a man who doesn't deserve it."
DeSaulnier did not dig deeper into this story.
This was not a crime Cohen was convicted of.
33. Mr. Steube R-FL says, Cohen has zero credibility: he lied to Congress, to friends, and to this committee. He said, I don’t know of any juror in America that would believe him. That is false. According to a poll, 35% of Democrats believe, 17% of Republicans and that is after the; pernicious, bashing he took at this hearing by Republicans and those percentages will improve; once, the investigation is completed and testimony corroborate. The reason his testimony is believable, there are consequences, if, he does not tell the truth and he has backup evidence. Steube’s argument that Cohen put nothing into evidence proving Trump directed the Stormy Daniel’s pay off; even though, Trump, after the story began to unfold, admitted the checks to Cohen were for reimbursement. Steube, here [not knowing this], does not believe Trump directed him to pay off the Porn Star unless Cohen can provide an email, recording or text message, as proof. That is shows what absurd lengths Republicans will go to protect their corrupt Party Leader.
They don’t accept the signed checks by Trump as proof. They are going with the original lie, it was for lawyer compensation,
Steube falsely defended the President at the hearing, because, Trump, later, when the facts became indisputable, he admitted directing the payments. However, he said, the encounter never occurred and the payment was not for political reasons: two more blatant lies.
He must think the American people are very gullible.
They don’t accept the signed checks by Trump as proof. They are going with the original lie, it was for lawyer compensation,
Steube falsely defended the President at the hearing, because, Trump, later, when the facts became indisputable, he admitted directing the payments. However, he said, the encounter never occurred and the payment was not for political reasons: two more blatant lies.
He must think the American people are very gullible.
34. Ms. Lawrence D-MI made this point: what Trump has said in public and, probably, what he has said in private, and this one black person working for Trump introduced by Mr. Meadows, does not nullify and is totally insulting: Trump is no racist. Racial bias in one thing: this hearing; however, demonstrates republican political bias, not based on the facts, that is just as deplorable. Then, she asked about the different threats made to Cohen to prevent him from testifying against Trump. Cohen explained what they were and his reasons for being fearful for himself and his family: Trump’s 60-plus million followers on Twitter. And, she said, I want to make it clear, any attempt to prevent someone from testifying to Congress is a crime, as the chairman has said, retaliating against witnesses and threatening their family and members were text book mob tactics that does not benefit the President of this country.
She said, the purpose of this hearing: to serve [voters].
She said, the purpose of this hearing: to serve [voters].
35. Mr. Roy R-TX betrayed his duty, like other Republicans on the panel, by not serving as a check over the executive branch. There is growing concern about the legality of Trump’s behavior before and after he became president, as well as, fitness.
Instead, he wanted to catch Cohen in a lie, so he asked him, if he has been to Prague. Who cares; whether, he went to the Czech Republic 14 years ago?
Why doesn’t Trump’s over 9,000 lies brother him?
Roy told us he was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, when his child was born, he was not pushing for Trump, he was fighting cancer and that he was backing a Republican from Texas for president in 2016; not, really, relative to the hearing.
He went totally off the rails:
He said, the nation blew through $450 million during this hearing in massing debt; but, don’t blame that on the hearing: blame it on the GOP tax cuts and budget.
He said Americans in his district and across the country voted for Trump; because, they are sick and tired of this hellhole: that is very disturbing. Is he referring to Austin, Texas? A political, social, and economic hellhole, would be more like Somalia.
Latino migrants think—the USA is paradise.
Trump has helped to make many places in America physical hellholes with his anti‑science climate change agenda: places destroyed by wild fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, and flooding.
These victims don’t think Trump has made America Great again!
He said, Americans voted for Trump because they were tired of politicians failing to balance the budget. He is in the Congress and doesn’t know what happened: Trump added almost $2 trillion to the National Debt in 2 years after his tax cuts went into effect in 2018. Trump said, “Not only will this plan pay for itself, but it will pay down the deficit.” That was a lie—to get elected.
And, the CBO projects a deficit of $1.1 trillion in 2020.
Roy used his time to make political statements:
-- He blamed democrats for the problems at the border.
-- He wasted time, telling us about crimes at the border.
This hearing is not about border security: Did he think El Loco’s shut down of the government to build a wall is the right solution: remember that is what your Fuehrer did.
Estimated cost: $6 billion.
Why is Roy not complaining about this Trump Blunder?
He said these people are sick and tired of the games they are seeing here today. There two ways of looking at this congressional Cohen hearing:
--- Democrats, truth elicitors, loyal to the people.
--- Republicans, truth saboteurs, loyal to Trump.
He said, this is not what the American people sent us here to do. He is right, if, referring to Republicans on the House Oversight and Reform Committee.
Unfortunately, Chip Roy did not mean that.
He said, he told his wife: don’t look at the hearing; because, Republicans were planning a bloody pit bull pack attack on Cohen.
Roy said, this hearing is an embarrassment to our country—yes, the way Republicans acted at the Cohen Hearing.
He asked Cohen, if you’re going to change his answer on the Truth in Testimony Disclosure Form: he thinks, like Meadows, Cohen misled. He is wrong.
He believes things that are false.
He asked Cohen, if, he would turn over tapes to the Committee? I don’t think, attorney-client privilege should trump—national security issues [high crimes].
To do that, means taking the side of evil. He quoted Armstrong, who believes it is better to go to jail, than, snitch: that is how the criminal minded think.
Cohen’s answer: he would take it under advisement.
Roy said, he wanted to offer his heart felt thoughts for what his family is going through, then, proceeded to berate Cohen as a criminal and liar.
Roy displayed symptoms of being psychotic….
He said, the American people have a hell of a lot more important things to do, than, watch this hearing; not, if they want to know the truth about the President.
I think is more important than watching sports.
He called this congressional hearing “an unbelievable circus.” He is wrong. It is a public televised hearing for the purpose of removing the veil hiding Trump’s crimes that Cohen, his personal lawyer, had inside knowledge of. That explains the acrimonious attacks by the republican supporters on the panel. They were protecting this dangerous, incompetent, compulsive lying Monster in the White House, who Cohen called —besides a conman, cheat, racist--and emerging autocrat, not responsible to the people, the Congress, or the Constitution.
As, Cohen said, Trump believes he is beyond the law.
That Mr. Roy should be concerned about, not Cohen.
Republicans keep saying nothing Cohen says is credible, to counter that, I would like to put this article into the record: 4 ways Trump is trying to be King
By Julian Zelizer, CNN Political Analyst
Instead, he wanted to catch Cohen in a lie, so he asked him, if he has been to Prague. Who cares; whether, he went to the Czech Republic 14 years ago?
Why doesn’t Trump’s over 9,000 lies brother him?
Roy told us he was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, when his child was born, he was not pushing for Trump, he was fighting cancer and that he was backing a Republican from Texas for president in 2016; not, really, relative to the hearing.
He went totally off the rails:
He said, the nation blew through $450 million during this hearing in massing debt; but, don’t blame that on the hearing: blame it on the GOP tax cuts and budget.
He said Americans in his district and across the country voted for Trump; because, they are sick and tired of this hellhole: that is very disturbing. Is he referring to Austin, Texas? A political, social, and economic hellhole, would be more like Somalia.
Latino migrants think—the USA is paradise.
Trump has helped to make many places in America physical hellholes with his anti‑science climate change agenda: places destroyed by wild fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, and flooding.
These victims don’t think Trump has made America Great again!
He said, Americans voted for Trump because they were tired of politicians failing to balance the budget. He is in the Congress and doesn’t know what happened: Trump added almost $2 trillion to the National Debt in 2 years after his tax cuts went into effect in 2018. Trump said, “Not only will this plan pay for itself, but it will pay down the deficit.” That was a lie—to get elected.
And, the CBO projects a deficit of $1.1 trillion in 2020.
Roy used his time to make political statements:
-- He blamed democrats for the problems at the border.
-- He wasted time, telling us about crimes at the border.
This hearing is not about border security: Did he think El Loco’s shut down of the government to build a wall is the right solution: remember that is what your Fuehrer did.
Estimated cost: $6 billion.
Why is Roy not complaining about this Trump Blunder?
He said these people are sick and tired of the games they are seeing here today. There two ways of looking at this congressional Cohen hearing:
--- Democrats, truth elicitors, loyal to the people.
--- Republicans, truth saboteurs, loyal to Trump.
He said, this is not what the American people sent us here to do. He is right, if, referring to Republicans on the House Oversight and Reform Committee.
Unfortunately, Chip Roy did not mean that.
He said, he told his wife: don’t look at the hearing; because, Republicans were planning a bloody pit bull pack attack on Cohen.
Roy said, this hearing is an embarrassment to our country—yes, the way Republicans acted at the Cohen Hearing.
He asked Cohen, if you’re going to change his answer on the Truth in Testimony Disclosure Form: he thinks, like Meadows, Cohen misled. He is wrong.
He believes things that are false.
He asked Cohen, if, he would turn over tapes to the Committee? I don’t think, attorney-client privilege should trump—national security issues [high crimes].
To do that, means taking the side of evil. He quoted Armstrong, who believes it is better to go to jail, than, snitch: that is how the criminal minded think.
Cohen’s answer: he would take it under advisement.
Roy said, he wanted to offer his heart felt thoughts for what his family is going through, then, proceeded to berate Cohen as a criminal and liar.
Roy displayed symptoms of being psychotic….
He said, the American people have a hell of a lot more important things to do, than, watch this hearing; not, if they want to know the truth about the President.
I think is more important than watching sports.
He called this congressional hearing “an unbelievable circus.” He is wrong. It is a public televised hearing for the purpose of removing the veil hiding Trump’s crimes that Cohen, his personal lawyer, had inside knowledge of. That explains the acrimonious attacks by the republican supporters on the panel. They were protecting this dangerous, incompetent, compulsive lying Monster in the White House, who Cohen called —besides a conman, cheat, racist--and emerging autocrat, not responsible to the people, the Congress, or the Constitution.
As, Cohen said, Trump believes he is beyond the law.
That Mr. Roy should be concerned about, not Cohen.
Republicans keep saying nothing Cohen says is credible, to counter that, I would like to put this article into the record: 4 ways Trump is trying to be King
By Julian Zelizer, CNN Political Analyst
36. Ms. Plaskett D-VI apologized for the inappropriate comments and tweets of members of this body, I am pretty sure, she meant Republicans, and she put into the record: Rep. Matt Gaetz R-FL, an ally of Trump, for possible criminal prosecution, for making a threat to Cohen ahead of the hearing. This is the threat [or tweet], she is referring to:
Hey@Michael Cohen212 -- Do your wife & father-in-law know about your girlfriends? Maybe tonight would be a good time for that chat. I wonder if she’ll remain faithful when you’re in prison. She’s about to learn a lot...
After backlash, he deleted it.
Next, she tried to establish the truth of the reimbursement of the hush money payments: Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s new lawyer, said on Fox News, it was a retainer. Cohen says there was no retainer.
One day later, she said the President tweeted, Mr. Cohen, an attorney, received a monthly retainer, not from the campaign and having nothing to do with the campaign, from which he entered into, through reimbursement, a private contract between two parties, known as a non-disclosure agreement, or NDA.
Plaskett asked is that tweet by the President accurate? Cohn answered, it is not accurate.
She added, when the OGE asked to see it: Trump’s personal counsel, Sheri Dillon refused to so, saying it was privileged.
If, the method of payment, the number of checks, and the amounts are different from other years for compensation: these checks are for reimbursement, not normal lawyer fees. The checks are indisputable proof, Trump made an illegal campaign contribution through Cohen, his fixer, who set of the LLC to disguise his involvement. Ms. Plaskett asked, are their other people that can corroborate the statements you made here? Cohen provided two names: Rona Graft, Trump’s executive assistant, and Allen Weisselberg, Trump’s CFO. They should be called to testimony until oath, because, Cohen is going to jail for his involvement: Trump; so far, is not.
I would add the names: Trump Sr. and Jr.
SECOND BREAK
Hearing resumes:
Hey@Michael Cohen212 -- Do your wife & father-in-law know about your girlfriends? Maybe tonight would be a good time for that chat. I wonder if she’ll remain faithful when you’re in prison. She’s about to learn a lot...
After backlash, he deleted it.
Next, she tried to establish the truth of the reimbursement of the hush money payments: Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s new lawyer, said on Fox News, it was a retainer. Cohen says there was no retainer.
One day later, she said the President tweeted, Mr. Cohen, an attorney, received a monthly retainer, not from the campaign and having nothing to do with the campaign, from which he entered into, through reimbursement, a private contract between two parties, known as a non-disclosure agreement, or NDA.
Plaskett asked is that tweet by the President accurate? Cohn answered, it is not accurate.
She added, when the OGE asked to see it: Trump’s personal counsel, Sheri Dillon refused to so, saying it was privileged.
If, the method of payment, the number of checks, and the amounts are different from other years for compensation: these checks are for reimbursement, not normal lawyer fees. The checks are indisputable proof, Trump made an illegal campaign contribution through Cohen, his fixer, who set of the LLC to disguise his involvement. Ms. Plaskett asked, are their other people that can corroborate the statements you made here? Cohen provided two names: Rona Graft, Trump’s executive assistant, and Allen Weisselberg, Trump’s CFO. They should be called to testimony until oath, because, Cohen is going to jail for his involvement: Trump; so far, is not.
I would add the names: Trump Sr. and Jr.
SECOND BREAK
Hearing resumes:
37. Mr. Khanna D-CA said this is the smoking gun: the $35K signed by Donald Trump, which he claims are for legal services, which Cohen claims are for reimbursement of hush money paid to Ms. Clifford. Cohen said in his testimony, “no American thinks I paid off Stormy Daniels for my benefit.” Obviously, Cohen is telling the truth; because, there is proof: not just one check: there are eleven: totaling: $420K -- signed by Trump or his CFO and Don Jr.
The reason the first check was signed by Don Trump Jr. and Weisselberg from Trump’s Revocable Trust, Trump after becoming president turned over the business operations of the Trump Organization to his two sons, Don and Eric Trump and the second check signed by Donald Trump from his personal account is a change of strategy, to shift the blame for violation of campaign finance law from his son and CFO back to Trump, who ordered it for his benefit, who thinks he can lie and get away with it, as long as the Republicans control the Senate and the Justice Department.
None of the $420K is tax deductible.
Trump should know this, because, he said back during the campaign, “I think, nobody knows more about taxes than I do, maybe in the history of world.”
Trump’s second crime, tax fraud: he used this payment as a business tax deduction: he is cooking the books, as Khanna said.
Trump is a behemoth fraudster.
Khanna asked, is it true -- three others are involved in this cover up and you’re the only one—going to prison? Cohen answered, yes.
This is a criminal conspiracy of four: one is Trump.
The reason the first check was signed by Don Trump Jr. and Weisselberg from Trump’s Revocable Trust, Trump after becoming president turned over the business operations of the Trump Organization to his two sons, Don and Eric Trump and the second check signed by Donald Trump from his personal account is a change of strategy, to shift the blame for violation of campaign finance law from his son and CFO back to Trump, who ordered it for his benefit, who thinks he can lie and get away with it, as long as the Republicans control the Senate and the Justice Department.
None of the $420K is tax deductible.
Trump should know this, because, he said back during the campaign, “I think, nobody knows more about taxes than I do, maybe in the history of world.”
Trump’s second crime, tax fraud: he used this payment as a business tax deduction: he is cooking the books, as Khanna said.
Trump is a behemoth fraudster.
Khanna asked, is it true -- three others are involved in this cover up and you’re the only one—going to prison? Cohen answered, yes.
This is a criminal conspiracy of four: one is Trump.
38. Mr. Gomez D-CA asked Cohen, Why does Trump not want to release his tax returns? And, Cohen answer, he feared discovery of tax evasion and tax penalties. He gave additional justifiable reasons; why, the American people need to see them. I have maintained that for a long time: Trump made a promise to the American people, to help him get elected, that he would release his tax returns; therefore, he is; morally, obligated to release them, and since there are growing allegations of tax-fraud and conflict of interests, the Congress should take steps to seize them—since, he refuses.
Gomez says he is also a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and it has the right to examine anybody’s tax returns, including the President—according to 1924 law. Trump intends to fight that law and it may take years to resolve.
Trump calls the Mueller investigation a “witch hunt”: Gomez states: the Mueller team has indicted or received guilty pleas from 34 people: six Trump advisers and he states: he has noticed a pattern: Trump likes to surround himself with people, who will:
1. lie for him
2. break the law for him
3. cheat the system for him.
And, he asked Cohen, wouldn’t you agree with that statement? And Cohen said, “[based] on the facts and circumstances, it appears so.” That is a definite – YES! Cohen is one of the six advisers. So, it was not a witch hunt [or hoax].
Gomez says he is also a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and it has the right to examine anybody’s tax returns, including the President—according to 1924 law. Trump intends to fight that law and it may take years to resolve.
Trump calls the Mueller investigation a “witch hunt”: Gomez states: the Mueller team has indicted or received guilty pleas from 34 people: six Trump advisers and he states: he has noticed a pattern: Trump likes to surround himself with people, who will:
1. lie for him
2. break the law for him
3. cheat the system for him.
And, he asked Cohen, wouldn’t you agree with that statement? And Cohen said, “[based] on the facts and circumstances, it appears so.” That is a definite – YES! Cohen is one of the six advisers. So, it was not a witch hunt [or hoax].
39. Ms. Ocascio-Cortez D-NY asked Cohen these relevant questions:
Where can we find the treasure trove of documents? I believe she was referring to Trump’s past used of NDAs with the National Inquirer published by AMI. Cohen gave three names: David Pecker, Berry Levine or Dylan Howard.
I believe, however, that trove has been shredded.
She also asked these questions:
Did the President ever present inflated assets to an insurance company? I believe this was done to reduce premiums. Cohen said yes, and she asked, who else might know about this? Cohen answered, Allen Weisselberg, Ron Lieberman, and Matthew Calamari.
Do you think we need to look at his financial statements and his tax returns to compare them? Cohen answered, yes.
She mentioned, a Washington Post story that claimed Trump inflated and deflated assets (i.e., for business and tax purposes) and asked Cohen, do you know whether Trump deflated assets to reduce taxes on his golf course in Florida? He answered, he did the same thing at Briarcliff Manor, NY.
She mentioned, a New York Times report that revealed Trump engaged in dubious tax evasion schemes and outright fraud during the nineties -- and asked, do you know who might have information about this? Cohen answered, Allen Weisselberg. And, do you think we should look into Trump’s financial records and tax returns back to the nineties? Cohen answered, yes. This is important: it will show how; mostly, Republican lawmakers rigged the tax code allowing billionaires to pay little or no tax and that will help reform the tax code and it will reveal, whether, Trump committed tax fraud, and why were these things missed by the IRS in the first place?
Is there IRS intimidation by politicians?
Is the IRS underfunded—to prevent edits of top 1% and corporations?
Retired auditors and people, currently, in the IRS – should be called to—testify.
Is the current head of the IRS—conflicted?
During the hearing, Republicans, many times, recalled that Cohen pled guilty to tax fraud, but they never sought to investigate Trump’s alleged tax evasion schemes, the state and federal government should follow up on these leads: there is probable cause.
According to a poll, the majority of voters want to see Trump’s tax returns: 85% of Democrats and 10% of Republicans thinks he is hiding something.
Here is what Donald Trump said in 2014, “If, I decide to run for office, I’ll produce my tax returns, absolutely.”
He lied to get elected.
I would like to put into the record this article by Yahoo News: David Cay Johnston: Trump is a Criminal Level Tax Cheat.
In other place, he said; because, Trump used his hush money payments to Stormy Daniels as a business expense, there are other such entries.
Where can we find the treasure trove of documents? I believe she was referring to Trump’s past used of NDAs with the National Inquirer published by AMI. Cohen gave three names: David Pecker, Berry Levine or Dylan Howard.
I believe, however, that trove has been shredded.
She also asked these questions:
Did the President ever present inflated assets to an insurance company? I believe this was done to reduce premiums. Cohen said yes, and she asked, who else might know about this? Cohen answered, Allen Weisselberg, Ron Lieberman, and Matthew Calamari.
Do you think we need to look at his financial statements and his tax returns to compare them? Cohen answered, yes.
She mentioned, a Washington Post story that claimed Trump inflated and deflated assets (i.e., for business and tax purposes) and asked Cohen, do you know whether Trump deflated assets to reduce taxes on his golf course in Florida? He answered, he did the same thing at Briarcliff Manor, NY.
She mentioned, a New York Times report that revealed Trump engaged in dubious tax evasion schemes and outright fraud during the nineties -- and asked, do you know who might have information about this? Cohen answered, Allen Weisselberg. And, do you think we should look into Trump’s financial records and tax returns back to the nineties? Cohen answered, yes. This is important: it will show how; mostly, Republican lawmakers rigged the tax code allowing billionaires to pay little or no tax and that will help reform the tax code and it will reveal, whether, Trump committed tax fraud, and why were these things missed by the IRS in the first place?
Is there IRS intimidation by politicians?
Is the IRS underfunded—to prevent edits of top 1% and corporations?
Retired auditors and people, currently, in the IRS – should be called to—testify.
Is the current head of the IRS—conflicted?
During the hearing, Republicans, many times, recalled that Cohen pled guilty to tax fraud, but they never sought to investigate Trump’s alleged tax evasion schemes, the state and federal government should follow up on these leads: there is probable cause.
According to a poll, the majority of voters want to see Trump’s tax returns: 85% of Democrats and 10% of Republicans thinks he is hiding something.
Here is what Donald Trump said in 2014, “If, I decide to run for office, I’ll produce my tax returns, absolutely.”
He lied to get elected.
I would like to put into the record this article by Yahoo News: David Cay Johnston: Trump is a Criminal Level Tax Cheat.
In other place, he said; because, Trump used his hush money payments to Stormy Daniels as a business expense, there are other such entries.
40. Ms. Pressley D-MA stated, this hearing is doing the business of the American people and thanked Chairman Cummings for his job, and she went on to say; Light is the best policeman, which I notice in this hearing: Democrats turned it on and Republicans turned it off -- and she mentioned, the purchase of paintings of Trump paid for by his Charitable Foundation, which were placed in his clubs. She asked, were you and Trump involved? He said, yes. Trump used his Foundation for personal benefit. It appears, Trump is corrupt throughout.
The Trump University—defrauded students….
And, his team was corrupt: five top advisers convicted.
And, a sixth confidant has been indicted…
Seven of his cabinet officers violated ethnic rules...
Sarah Sanders, his press secretary, lies…..
And, there are various other probes underway… .
The outcome is not for sure, because, Trump is fighting all subpoenas; just like, Republicans tried to stop the hearing; when, they could not do that, they called it political theater, a charade, and a circus, and tried desperately and jointly, to destroy what Cohen says.
People have to be careful, who they vote for.
I would like to put into the record a statement by Sarah Sanders, Trump’s press secretary. It shows, if, you work for him in this capacity -- you must lie for him.
She said, “It’s laughable that anyone would take a convicted liar, like, Cohen at his word, and pathetic to see him given another opportunity to spread his lies”—referring to this House Oversight and Reform Committee Hearing. That is a blatant lie by daughter of former governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee.
The Mueller report—also stated—she lied.
And, Sean Spicer lied for Trump before her.
Cohen also lied when he was working for Trump….
Today, he is no longer working for Donald Trump!
The Trump University—defrauded students….
And, his team was corrupt: five top advisers convicted.
And, a sixth confidant has been indicted…
Seven of his cabinet officers violated ethnic rules...
Sarah Sanders, his press secretary, lies…..
And, there are various other probes underway… .
The outcome is not for sure, because, Trump is fighting all subpoenas; just like, Republicans tried to stop the hearing; when, they could not do that, they called it political theater, a charade, and a circus, and tried desperately and jointly, to destroy what Cohen says.
People have to be careful, who they vote for.
I would like to put into the record a statement by Sarah Sanders, Trump’s press secretary. It shows, if, you work for him in this capacity -- you must lie for him.
She said, “It’s laughable that anyone would take a convicted liar, like, Cohen at his word, and pathetic to see him given another opportunity to spread his lies”—referring to this House Oversight and Reform Committee Hearing. That is a blatant lie by daughter of former governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee.
The Mueller report—also stated—she lied.
And, Sean Spicer lied for Trump before her.
Cohen also lied when he was working for Trump….
Today, he is no longer working for Donald Trump!
41. Ms. Tlaib D-MI thanked the committee and said our sole purpose was exposing the truth; but, what I notice: Democrats on the panel tried to expose the criminal behavior of Trump, that Cohen knew about as his personal lawyer and Republicans on the panel tried everything in their power to discredit Cohen, including at the end putting into record by Meadows (2), Hice (6), Norman (1) and Roy (1): ten articles critical of Cohen. That shows political bias, because, no Republican put into the record any articles critical of Trump and there are tons. These 10 predated articles do not reveal any new crime that Cohen has committed that he has not been; already, convicted of; nor, do they disprove what Cohen said about Trump’s character and misdeeds at this congressional hearing. The difference, Trump has not been prosecuted or impeached for his abuses of power and needs to be held accountable.
Here are 10 predated articles:
#1 President Trump is unfit for office. Bob Woodward's 'Fear' confirms it
https://www.washingtonpost.com/.
#2 Trump's 'pattern of cognitive decline' alarms psychiatrists
Jerry Adler Senior Editor Yahoo News
#3. The Trump Dictatorship
https://www.commondreams.org/views/
#4. Former U.S. Attorney Tells Congress Trump Committed ‘Multiple Crimes’
By Barbara McQuade, The Daily Beast
#5. 4-Star General Warns: President Trump Behavior ‘More Alarming and Illogical’
MSNBC #6. His Presidents' Day tweets showed why Trump is unfit to be president.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/
#7. Trump Administration: The Most Corrupt and Unethical in American
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-pruitt-price-devos-669853
#8 Former defense secretaries: Trump's unfit
https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/
#9 Donald Trump is sabotaging America's democracy
By Joe Lockhart, CNN
#10 DONALD TRUMP’S 10 IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES
needtoimpeach.com
In conclusion, Trump should be ashamed of himself for calling Cohen, his former personal lawyer, a Rat for testifying against him.
Chairman Cummings told reporters, “I believe he [Cohen] told the truth.”
President Trump called the House Oversight and Reform Committee Hearing “a fake hearing” and accused Cohen of lying “a lot” – “95% instead 100%.”
Trump is a God-damn-liar, has serious character and mental flaws that can be clearly seen by his daily tweets, comments, and actions and has committed a number of crimes exposed by the Mueller Report and the Cohen Hearing.
Hearing Adjourned
UPDATE:
Cohen testified before the House Intelligence Committee behind closed doors on February 28 and March 6, 2019, and Chairman Adam Schiff said, he was cooperative and provided additional documents. His testimony has led to a swarm of new probes and subpoenas.
Michael Cohen reported to prison May 6, 2019.
Next: Part II
Here are 10 predated articles:
#1 President Trump is unfit for office. Bob Woodward's 'Fear' confirms it
https://www.washingtonpost.com/.
#2 Trump's 'pattern of cognitive decline' alarms psychiatrists
Jerry Adler Senior Editor Yahoo News
#3. The Trump Dictatorship
https://www.commondreams.org/views/
#4. Former U.S. Attorney Tells Congress Trump Committed ‘Multiple Crimes’
By Barbara McQuade, The Daily Beast
#5. 4-Star General Warns: President Trump Behavior ‘More Alarming and Illogical’
MSNBC #6. His Presidents' Day tweets showed why Trump is unfit to be president.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/
#7. Trump Administration: The Most Corrupt and Unethical in American
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-pruitt-price-devos-669853
#8 Former defense secretaries: Trump's unfit
https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/
#9 Donald Trump is sabotaging America's democracy
By Joe Lockhart, CNN
#10 DONALD TRUMP’S 10 IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES
needtoimpeach.com
In conclusion, Trump should be ashamed of himself for calling Cohen, his former personal lawyer, a Rat for testifying against him.
Chairman Cummings told reporters, “I believe he [Cohen] told the truth.”
President Trump called the House Oversight and Reform Committee Hearing “a fake hearing” and accused Cohen of lying “a lot” – “95% instead 100%.”
Trump is a God-damn-liar, has serious character and mental flaws that can be clearly seen by his daily tweets, comments, and actions and has committed a number of crimes exposed by the Mueller Report and the Cohen Hearing.
Hearing Adjourned
UPDATE:
Cohen testified before the House Intelligence Committee behind closed doors on February 28 and March 6, 2019, and Chairman Adam Schiff said, he was cooperative and provided additional documents. His testimony has led to a swarm of new probes and subpoenas.
Michael Cohen reported to prison May 6, 2019.
Next: Part II