transcript of Cohen's opening statement

[MBS]

This is the straight-up statement itself, no commentary (and also no pay wall):
https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000169-2d31-dc75-affd-bfb99a790001

[DonaldsRump]

1. Have the exhibits been publicly released? n/t

[MBS]

3. Oh, wow, I can't wait to see them.

Maybe we'll see them during the testimony?
We'll find out soon enough!

[duforsure]

2. Now after trump attacks him as a liar ,

And the fascists supporting trump in Congress attack calling Cohen a liar, now the Democrats need to start calling for trump to come before them under oath , and see if he's going to be truthful or commit crimes by lying to them. Its also why he refused to go before Mueller, he'd be forced t lie , or implicate himself committing crimes by being truthful. The Dems should start calling for this. they also need to go after that Geotz guy in the House for threatening Cohen , or this will only continue, and get worse next time. The fascists supporting trump in Congress will have nowhere to go after everyone is exposed.

[DeminPennswoods]

4. Wow,

some damning information in there.

[FM123]

5. I just read the entire 20 pages, thank you for posting this!

Very interesting and very damaging to trumpy - the only two statements that concern me a bit are:

Mr. Trump did not directly tell me to lie to Congress. That’s not how he operates. and Questions have been raised about whether I know of direct evidence that Mr. Trump or his campaign colluded with Russia. I do not. I want to be clear.

I had really really hoped that he would come right out and confirm that trumpy did this!

[still_one]

6. He can't lie, or he will be charged again for lying to Congress

[MBS]

7. You're welcome.

I share your disappointment about these two sentences. But, in a way, they also add credibility to his statement. I also have high hopes that sharp questioning from House Democrats might elicit some additional damning material later in the day.

[Zoonart]

9. Most criminals who have been in the game for a while operate this way.

They "wig-wag" their instructions to underlings in case there are prying eyes, or someone is wearing a wire. Anything to preserve plausible deniability.

MF45, however is reckless and unable to control his basest instincts. He therefore, destroys his plausible deniability by doing things like publicly stating... "Russia, if you're listening" etc.

That's why Cohen's public corroboration is so important.

[MBS]

10. excellent points, thanks.

I also like your moniker for #45.

[Zoonart]

11. Enjoy... this is going to be fun,

[Politicub]

12. He is going to let the exhibits speak for him

As Toobin just said on CNN, “the check is the check,” meaning the evidence supports Cohen’s story about the payoffs.

But I admit that paragraph jumped out at me. It’s out there. It will be the sound bite used by Trump and his hangers-on, even though, in the same breath, they will call Cohen a liar.

I am so grateful the people roared in November and their votes led to the Democratic Party retaking the House. We would not be seeing these hearings had that not happened.

[UpInArms]

8. Thank you for posting this

I hope the world listens to him