Cohen’s testimony confirmed Trump’s direct involvement in illegal hush-money payment

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Today, Need to Impeach released a new video highlighting Michael Cohen’s confirmation that Donald Trump violated campaign finance laws by participating in a hush-money scheme to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. The video will be released on social platforms and calls on people to sign the Need to Impeach petition and contact their representatives.

“Donald Trump conducts himself more like a mob boss than the President of the United States,”  said Need to Impeach Founder Tom Steyer. “Michael Cohen’s testimony should be a shocking reminder to all of us that our current situation is nothing less than a crisis. The answer to that crisis could not be more clear: impeachment.”

Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, testified under oath that Trump directed him to pay $130,000 to Daniels to prevent her from going public with her story and then illegally reimbursed Cohen while he was President. Cohen also presented physical evidence of Trump’s involvement, providing a copy of a personal check from Donald Trump to the Oversight Committee. Mr. Cohen also testified that Trump had knowledge of Roger Stone’s conversations with WikiLeaks about Hillary Clinton’s emails and that Trump’s personal lawyers edited Mr. Cohen’s false and misleading statements made to Congress.

In the last week of January, Need to Impeach brought together about 300 impeachment supporters for a two-day training and advocacy summit that concluded with participants hand delivering Articles of Impeachment to their member of Congress. During the Summit, Steyer also announced Project Accountability, an effort to mobilize impeachment supporters in key districts represented by Democratic Congressional leaders. The initiative launched in districts represented by  Reps. Richard Neal (MA-01), Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), and Elijah Cummings (MD-07), and includes a dedicated paid staff person, door-to-door canvassing, a comprehensive media campaign that includes TV, digital, and direct mail, and town halls.

“In short, Cohen’s testimony on Wednesday, if true, confirmed what we have long suspected: The president orchestrated hush payments in violation of campaign finance laws. Cohen also revealed that Trump Organization CFO Weisselberg witnessed Trump’s illegal activities and could back up Cohen’s claims.” — Common Cause vice president of policy and litigation Paul Seamus Ryan, 2/27/19

MSNBC: Michael Cohen reveals Stormy Daniels check with Trump’s signature

CNN: Cohen testifies to Trump’s involvement in hush-money payments in fiery hearing

The Washington Post: Michael Cohen says President Trump was involved in a hush money scheme. He brought checks to Congress to prove it.

The New York Times: Even as President, Trump Focused on Hush Money, Cohen Says

The Los Angeles Times: Michael Cohen describes a culture of criminality around Trump

Associated Press: Russia, hush money, lies: Takeaways from Cohen’s testimony

Wall Street Journal: Michael Cohen Details Allegations of Trump’s Role in Hush-Money Scheme