House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner are calling for a perjury probe against Michael Cohen, a former attorney for Donald Trump, stemming from his testimony in the former president’s New York civil business fraud trial.
What Happened: The two GOP lawmakers allege that Cohen’s recent deposition in New York contradicts what he told Congress under oath in 2019. They argue that this discrepancy warrants a deeper investigation into whether he violated federal perjury laws.
Their letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland suggests that "Mr. Cohen's prior conviction for lying to Congress merits a heightened suspicion that he has yet again testified falsely before Congress."
They are calling for an examination of whether his testimony “warrants another charge.”
Why It Matters: Last month, Cohen also testified against Trump in a New York courtroom. Cohen said that the ex-president had asked him to “increase the total assets based upon a number that he arbitrarily elected.”
Both Stefanik and Turner are vocal allies of Trump in Congress. This is the second time in under a week that Stefanik, who is not a lawyer, has called for legal action against individuals she perceives as Trump’s legal adversaries.
Meanwhile, Cohen has brushed off their accusations, suggesting they are merely attempting to obstruct justice and tamper with witnesses. He stated, “I am not concerned at all with their baseless request.”
Cohen’s cooperation in the ongoing civil fraud trial is seen as key by New York Attorney General Letitia James. She accuses Trump, his family members, and his business of fraudulently inflating their net worth by billions of dollars to reap financial benefits. The outcome could have far-reaching consequences for the Trump family’s business empire, with potential penalties and operational bans at stake.
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