House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner and House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik have penned a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging an investigation into former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen for alleged perjury and knowingly making false statements during his testimony before Congress in 2019. The letter comes in light of Cohen’s recent testimony during the ongoing non-jury civil trial in New York City, where he admitted that his previous testimony before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence was intentionally false.
The ongoing trial, initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against former President Trump, his family, and the Trump Organization, accuses Trump of defrauding banks and inflating the value of his assets. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that his assets were undervalued and that his financial statements carried disclaimers requesting evaluation by the banks.
Turner and Stefanik specifically referenced Cohen’s February 2019 testimony, in which he denied being directed by Trump to inflate the numbers for his personal financial statement. However, during the recent trial, Cohen was presented with the transcript of his previous testimony and ultimately admitted to lying under oath.
The House Republicans argue that Cohen’s admission raises significant questions about his credibility and the veracity of his testimony before the committee. They believe that his willingness to openly confess to lying should necessitate a thorough investigation. Turner and Stefanik also note Cohen’s previous conviction for lying to Congress, suggesting that his credibility is already compromised.
In their letter to Attorney General Garland, Turner and Stefanik requested that the Justice Department investigate whether Cohen’s recent testimony warrants additional charges of making false statements before Congress. They emphasize the importance of ensuring that individuals who testify before Congress do so truthfully and with integrity.
Cohen, who pleaded guilty in 2018 to campaign finance violations, making false statements to Congress, and tax evasion, was sentenced to three years in prison. Neither Cohen nor the Justice Department has immediately responded to requests for comment on the matter.
The call for an investigation by House Republicans adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing trial and raises questions about the credibility of Cohen’s previous testimony. As the trial continues, the focus will be on uncovering the truth and determining the extent of any wrongdoing on the part of former President Trump and his associates.
Brooke Singman is a digital politics reporter for Fox News. She can be reached at [email protected] or @BrookeSingman on Twitter.
