Michael Cohen had been Donald Trump’s personal attorney for a decade. He had pleaded guilty in the Southern District of New York, including to lying to Congress, and was due to report to federal prison in two months. On February 27, 2019, he came back to Congress to testify under oath about the man he had worked for.
The opening statement
CohenNever in a million years did I imagine when I accepted a job in 2007 to work for Donald Trump that he would one day run for the presidency, to launch a campaign on a platform of hate and intolerance, and actively win. I regret the day I said yes to Mr. Trump. I regret all the help and support I gave him along the way.
CohenI am ashamed of my own failings and publicly accepted responsibility for them by pleading guilty in the Southern District of New York. I am ashamed of my weakness and my misplaced loyalty of the things I did for Mr. Trump in an effort to protect and promote him.
CohenI am ashamed that I chose to take part in concealing Mr. Trump's illicit acts rather than listening to my own conscience. I am ashamed, because I know what Mr. Trump is. He is a racist, he is a con man, and he is a cheat.
[Hearing transcript, February 27, 2019, opening statement of Michael Cohen.]
What he brought with him
CohenI am providing the committee today with several documents, and these include a copy of a check Mr. Trump wrote from his personal bank account, after he became President, to reimburse me for the hush money payments I made to cover up his affair with an adult film star, and to prevent damage to his campaign.
[Hearing transcript, February 27, 2019, opening statement of Michael Cohen.]
The apology
CohenOver the past year or so, I have done some real soul searching. And I see now that my ambition and the intoxication of Trump power had much to do with the bad decisions in part that I made.
CohenAnd to you, Chairman Cummings and Ranking Member Jordan, the other members of this committee, the members of the House and Senate, I am sorry for my lies and for lying to Congress. And to our Nation, I am sorry for actively working to hide from you the truth about Mr. Trump when you needed it most.
CohenFor those who question my motives for being here today, I understand. I have lied. But I am not a liar. And I have done bad things, but I am not a bad man. I have fixed things, but I am no longer your fixer, Mr. Trump. And I am going to prison and have shattered the safety and security that I tried so hard to provide for my family.
CohenMy testimony certainly does not diminish the pain that I have caused my family and my friends. Nothing can do that. And I have never asked for, nor would I accept a pardon from President Trump.
CohenMr. Trump called me a rat for choosing to tell the truth, much like a mobster would do when one of his men decides to cooperate with the government.
[Hearing transcript, February 27, 2019, opening statement of Michael Cohen.]