Last updated
Josh Gerstein
Senior Legal Affairs Contributor
8:00 a.m.
Welcome to our live-chat of Michael Cohen’s long-awaited appearance before Congress.
Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer and fixer is expected to deliver explosive testimony today — including laying out how the president allegedly engaged in criminal conduct related to a hush-money payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels.
Stay with us as we dissect what the hearing means for Cohen, Trump, the Robert Mueller investigation and more. We’ll kick off just before 10 am when the hearing starts.
Josh Gerstein
Senior Legal Affairs Contributor
9:51 a.m.
Hi everybody! The big moment is about to arrive as Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen delivers his blockbuster testimony to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Josh Gerstein
Senior Legal Affairs Contributor
9:54 a.m.
POLITICO posted the testimony last night, which seemed to basically break the internet. Something for everyone there, aspects of it were pretty staggering, although some of the commentary seemed a bit hyperventilating to me. Mainly because much of Cohen’s story is already out, albeit in drier, off-camera form.
Anita Kumar
White House Correspondent & Associate Editor
9:57 a.m.
Hi Josh. Did you see the RNC already put out a statement this morning an hour before his testimony is set to start?
No one should believe a word Cohen says in his testimony. By holding this hearing, Democrats are hoping this established liar creates a media spectacle to distract from the historic progress President Trump is making overseas with North Korea.
Josh Gerstein
Senior Legal Affairs Contributor
10:00 a.m.
Cable talking heads calling attention to Rep. Matt Gaetz entering the room after his bizarre tweet yesterday that seemed to be seeking to threaten or intimidate Cohen. Gaetz later withdrew it after a public smack from Speaker Pelosi. I don’t see Gaetz on the committee membership list, so it’s unclear to me how/if he’ll get to ask a question today.
Kyle Cheney
Congress reporter
10:01 a.m.
Couple things I’m watching for on the Congress side:
-This is a high-profile moment for some of the House’s most recognizable freshmen: AOC, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Talib and committee vice chair Katie Hill. Will be the first time many Americans see them in action as members of Congress.
-Republicans, now in the minority, need to decide how cooperative to be during this hearing. When they were in the minority Dems used a lot of procedural tactics to disrupt the flow of previous high-profile House hearings. Rs may borrow from that playbook today.
Anita Kumar
White House Correspondent & Associate Editor
10:02 a.m.
Here’s our story on Gaetz apologizing for his tweet yesterday
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