As Michael Cohen, the prosecution’s “star witness” and likely the last witness, testified on Tuesday, former President Trump’s allies gathered in the courtroom to voice their support for the potential Republican presidential nominee in the criminal case. expressed.
Many prominent Republican allies gathered in a lower Manhattan courtroom for the 17th day of President Trump’s criminal trial, when Mr. Cohen, Mr. Trump’s former lawyer, again cross-examined Mr. Trump with New York prosecutors. were interrogated by both. Counsel.
Trump supporters storm New York courthouse to ‘support a friend’, claiming he is not cooperating with the campaign
“I came here on my own today to support President Trump,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) said outside a New York City courtroom Tuesday morning, calling Cohen “obviously… “People who are in favor of it,” he vehemently criticized. It’s a mission of personal revenge. ”
On Tuesday, various political allies of former President Trump appeared in a New York City courthouse. (Getty Images)
”[He] He is widely known as a witness who struggles with the truth. He has a history of perjury and is well known for it. Johnson said of Cohen that no one should believe a word he says today, saying, “He lied to Congress. He lied to the IRS. He lied to federal election officials. ”
“Even Mr. Cohen’s own attorney testified before the grand jury that Mr. Cohen cannot be trusted, so there is nothing that he has presented here that the jury should weigh,” Johnson said, adding that the lawsuit “It’s not about justice,” he pointed out, “but it’s all about politics, and everyone can see that.”
This courtroom sketch shows Michael Cohen being cross-examined by defense attorney Todd Blanche during former President Trump’s criminal trial on May 14, 2024 in New York City. (Reuters/Jane Rosenberg)
Johnson attended the hearing to show support for Trump, along with Representatives Byron Donald and Cory Mills, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. . Sen. J.D. Vance, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, Sen. Rick Scott, and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis appeared in court Monday with the former president.
A Trump campaign official told Fox News Digital: “All guests came to the court voluntarily to support our friend President Trump and were not invited by the campaign.”
The official said the growing number of Republicans gathering at the courthouse in downtown Manhattan “is not some kind of orchestrated political thing.”
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (left), former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, and Congressman Cory Mills stand outside President Trump’s criminal trial on May 14, 2024 in New York City. (Getty Images)
New York v. Trump: Court of Appeals rejects President Trump’s request to rescind ‘unconstitutional’ gag order
Cohen is heading into a 2016 legal battle with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to prove that the former president falsified business records related to a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. He is said to be a leading witness for him and his team. The election was meant to silence her about her alleged affair with Trump in 2006.
Mr. Bragg indicted Mr. Trump on 34 counts of first-degree falsification of business records. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains his innocence.
This courtroom sketch features former President Trump and his attorney Emile Bove. (Reuters/Jane Rosenberg)
Michael Cohen testifies that he secretly recorded President Trump in preparation for the 2016 election
This courtroom sketch shows witness Michael Cohen testifying at former President Trump’s criminal trial in New York City. (Reuters/Jane Rosenberg)
Cohen’s testimony
As for Cohen’s testimony, the former Trump lawyer said that of the $130,000 he paid Daniels, “$420,000 was reimbursed.” Cohen said Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization’s former chief financial officer, suggested that the payments be “gross-based.”
Mr. Cohen testified that Mr. Weisselberg facilitated his repayment plan and that Mr. Trump knew the details of the repayment.
President Trump cannot speak about witnesses or court officials because of a gag order imposed by Judge Juan Marchan.
The former president appealed the gag order, arguing that it violated his First Amendment rights. But as Cohen testified Tuesday, the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court rejected Trump’s appeal of the gag order.
Trump’s lawyers will now have the opportunity to appeal to the New York Court of Appeals.
Prosecutors gave Cohen 11 checks totaling $420,000. Mr. Cohen confirmed that they were all received and deposited. The check said “retainer,” but Mr. Cohen claimed this was a false statement.
Under cross-examination by Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche, Cohen apologized for lying to Congress, the country and his family in 2017 and “for acting in a way that withheld information the public had a right to know.” “I did,” he testified. Make an informed decision about who wanted the highest office in this country. ”
Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to charges including campaign finance violations, lying to Congress and tax evasion. He was sentenced to three years in prison.
Johnson attends Trump trial in Manhattan to show support
Blanche criticized Cohen for past negative comments about Trump online and in the media.
During the course of the investigation and case, Cohen appeared on television more than 20 times. Since the investigation into this case began, he has recorded hundreds of episodes of his podcast (a total of four episodes per week throughout the year). Cohen agreed that Trump is mentioned on every podcast.
Branch also asked Cohen if he was obsessed with Trump.
“I don’t know if you could call it an obsession,” Cohen said. “I had a lot of respect for him.”
Michael Cohen testified that he used to respect Trump. (Stephanie Keith/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
During cross-examination, Cohen also admitted that he met with former New York prosecutor Mark Pomerantz. Pomerantz resigned in 2022 when Bragg took over Manhattan prosecutors’ investigation of Trump after indicating he had no interest in prosecuting the former president.
Cohen testified in 2021 that he wanted prosecutors to publicly acknowledge that he was cooperating with the investigation because he wanted a reduced sentence. Mr. Cohen was in prison at the time, but was transferred from prison to home confinement.
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In the end, there was no letter or announcement from the DA’s office about his cooperation.
Blanche said he would continue cross-examining Cohen on Thursday. Court will not be held on Wednesday.
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said Mr. Cohen was the prosecution’s final witness.
