Mark this week down. It will be one of the pivotal weeks in the Trump presidency (or the downfall of the Trump presidency.) The news from BuzzFeed that Trump directed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress may be one of the most damning accusations yet in regards to this president or any president in American history.
“President Donald Trump directed his longtime attorney Michael Cohen to lie to Congress about negotiations to build a Trump Tower in Moscow, according to two federal law enforcement officials involved in an investigation of the matter.” – BuzzFeed News
No other media outlet has confirmed the BuzzFeed story, but the reporters who wrote it, Jason Leopold and Anthony Cormier, say their information is based on two sources (watch what Cormier said about his reporting above). There is no reason at this point to believe their reporting isn’t solid. Both are well respected journalists.
Some are discussing the Buzzfeed article simply because it's Buzzfeed, but the reporters on the byline are good and experienced journalists. Jason Leopold has worked at the LA Times and Vice and Anthony Cormier won awards for his investigative reporting at the TB Times. Just FWIW
— Ben Curtis (@ben_curtis12) January 18, 2019
The crime of telling someone to lie to Congress would be a felony. Adam Schiff is the Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
The allegation that the President of the United States may have suborned perjury before our committee in an effort to curtail the investigation and cover up his business dealings with Russia is among the most serious to date. We will do what’s necessary to find out if it’s true. https://t.co/GljBAFqOjh
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 18, 2019
Joaquin Castro is a Democratic U.S. Representative from Texas.
If the @BuzzFeed story is true, President Trump must resign or be impeached.
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) January 18, 2019
Listen, if Mueller does have multiple sources confirming Trump directed Cohen to lie to Congress, then we need to know this ASAP. Mueller shouldn't end his inquiry, but it's about time for him to show Congress his cards before it's too late for us to act. https://t.co/ekG5VSBS8G
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/joshscampbell/status/1086243156775952386
If this report is accurate, Trump committed subornation of perjury, punishable by five years imprisonment under 18 U.S. Code § 1622. https://t.co/5uBydMX99s
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) January 18, 2019
Based on the Buzzfeed report and numerous other articles showing @realDonaldTrump committed Obstruction of Justice and other possible felonies, it is time for the House Judiciary Committee to start holding hearings to establish a record of whether @POTUS committed high crimes.
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 18, 2019
In light of Buzzfeed bombshell, this suddenly looms a lot larger now, doesn't it? pic.twitter.com/rTgf6cRalk
— Greg Sargent (@GregTSargent) January 18, 2019
Members of the GOP party and the White House are rather quiet on the report.
Just in, Rudy Giuliani’s response to Buzzfeed story: “If you believe Cohen I can get you a great deal on the Brooklyn Bridge.”
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) January 18, 2019
Trump directed Cohen to lie to Congress, according to @BuzzFeedNews, and they claim Mueller has ample proof. If true, Trump committed a felony—and no Member of Congress should stand for this.
Republicans, your country needs you. You’re Americans first. https://t.co/A5L2ceVW8g
— Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) January 18, 2019