Two top House Republicans are calling for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to open a criminal investigation into former Trump attorney Michael Cohen for allegedly lying to Congress. In a letter sent to Attorney General Merrick Garland, the GOP chairmen of the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees cited Cohen’s 2019 testimony as evidence of perjury and called for accountability for his false statements.
Specifically, the Republican lawmakers outlined six instances where they believe Cohen lied to federal lawmakers, including his denial of committing fraud despite pleading guilty to fraud charges in 2018. They also highlighted Cohen’s admission to lying under oath during a 2019 deposition before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
In response to these concerns, Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee made a separate criminal referral to the DOJ. Additionally, Comer and Jordan pointed out inconsistencies in Cohen’s claims regarding seeking a job in the Trump administration, citing evidence that contradicts his denials.
Cohen is currently a key figure in the New York prosecution of former President Donald Trump, with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg relying on him as a star witness in a case related to payments to Stormy Daniels. Cohen was Trump’s lawyer who arranged a payment to Daniels to keep her affair with Trump quiet, and he is expected to testify in the ongoing trial where Trump faces multiple felony charges.
In conclusion, the lawmakers expressed concerns about Cohen’s credibility as a witness, particularly in light of his past false statements to Congress. They highlighted the reliance of Manhattan’s district attorney on Cohen’s testimony in the prosecution of Trump and called for transparency and accountability in the investigation.
