What If Michael Cohen Was Full Of Crap All Along?

Mike Norris, Co-Editor, The American Dossier

Most Americans are too busy to bother themselves with the activities of a Congressional hearing and the numbers show it. According to a University of Pennsylvania poll, almost one third of Americans cannot name any of the three branches of government. But on Wednesday, one Congressional committee turned the world on its ear.

In the House Oversight and Reform Committee, President Trump’s (POTUS) former personal lawyer testified, accusing POTUS of a number of crimes. In his opening statement, Michael Cohen stated: "I want to apologize to each member to the U.S. Congress as a whole.” He continued, “The last time I appeared before Congress, I came to protect Mr. Trump. Today, I am here to tell the truth about Mr. Trump.”

During his testimony, Cohen listed a pattern of illegal behavior that he claimed was carried out by his former client. Ultimately, Cohen’s assertions did little to damage POTUS’s legal standing. In some instances, Cohen may have even helped the POTUS, by refuting previous claims.

If Cohen’s statements about POTUS are true, they are damning. However, there are holes in his claims. The power of Cohen’s testimony is tied to the assumption that he was indeed being truthful.

But what if Michael Cohen was full of crap all along?

Cohen previously pleaded guilty to one count of lying to Congress. In addition, he pleaded guilty to five counts of tax evasion; one count of making false statements to a banking institution; one count of causing an unlawful corporate contribution; and one count of excessive campaign contributions.

Two Congressmen may have already found instances in Cohen’s testimony where he might not have been telling the truth.

Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH), the top Republican on the Oversight Committee, and Representative Mark Meadows (R-NC), referred Cohen to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Thursday for possible criminal prosecution. In a six-page letter, Jordan and Meadows stated, "Mr. Cohen's prior conviction for lying to Congress merits a heightened suspicion that he has yet again testified falsely before Congress."

Although Jordan and Meadows outlined numerous instances where Cohen may have lied, it is his claim that he did not want to work in the White House that may be the most damning.

Republicans have pointed to court filings from Cohen’s criminal cases in the Southern District of New York (SDNY), where Cohen "privately told friends and colleagues, including in seized text messages, that he expected to be given a prominent role and title in the new administration." Asked Wednesday to explain those SDNY filings after he had already testified that he did not want a White House job, Cohen said, "I'm not saying it's a lie, I'm just saying it's not accurate. "

Jordan and Meadows also cited Cohen's claim that he "never defrauded any bank" as "intentionally false," based on the fact that SDNY prosecutors "specifically referred to Mr. Cohen's crimes of making false statements to financial institutions as bank fraud" in a footnote of his plea agreement.

Cohen’s attorney, Lanny Davis, released a statement calling Jordan and Meadows’ letter "a sad misuse of the criminal justice system with the aura of pure partisanship."

Democrats generally accepted Cohen’s testimony as truthful. House Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) told reporters: “He said he wasn't (lobbying for a job) and I believe him."

There is evidence that Cohen is not being truthful in his claim.

David Bossie, Trump's 2016 deputy campaign manager tweeted: "Michael Cohen asked me to support his effort to be Chief of Staff when I helped run the Presidential Transition Team. He perjured himself today."

Jordan and Meadows’ letter also cited a tweet by former New York City Police detective Bo Dietl, who said Cohen told him “several times” that he was “very angry and upset” that he did not get a job in the White House.

A spokesperson for the DOJ said it is reviewing the referral.

In order for Michael Cohen to be seen as a credible and reliable witness regarding POTUS’s activities and character, he must truly be a changed man. Cohen’s testimony is only useful if he indeed is someone who lied, but has now tells the truth and nothing but the truth.

Under that narrative, Congress should believe Cohen this time. Now, Congress should use his testimony to overturn the will of 63 million Americans.

But what if Michael Cohen is full of crap?