Michael Cohen's friend and former lawyer, Lanny Davis, played a crucial role in prepping Cohen for his 2019 congressional hearing. During the hearing, Cohen faced intense scrutiny and criticism, with the focus shifting to whether President Trump directed hush money payments to Stormy Daniels for political reasons, potentially constituting a crime.
Davis highlighted the presence of evidence indicating political motives behind the payments, citing testimonies from individuals like David Pecker and Hope Hicks. Federal prosecutors labeled the case as a political crime, leading to Cohen's incarceration.
Despite facing attempts to antagonize him during the hearing, Cohen remained calm and composed, a demeanor that Davis attributed to Cohen's prior experiences testifying before Congress. Davis emphasized Cohen's contrition and willingness to admit his mistakes publicly, signaling a shift in loyalty away from Trump.
Addressing concerns about Cohen's credibility, Davis defended his decision to represent Cohen based on his belief in Cohen's sincerity and commitment to telling the truth. He drew parallels to the American judicial system's reliance on witnesses with checkered pasts to testify truthfully.
Regarding Cohen's responses during the hearing, Davis refrained from criticizing Cohen's cautious answers, acknowledging the pressure Cohen faced and commending his overall performance. Despite the challenges posed by direct questions, Davis expressed confidence in Cohen's ability to navigate the proceedings with integrity and honesty.
