Congress Has Questions About Conflicting Testimony

News  |  Mar 7, 2019

Donald Trump Jr. told Congress in September 2017 that he only was "peripherally aware" of a potential Trump Tower Moscow deal going on during the 2016 campaign, but Michael Cohen, who is going to jail, in part, for concealing the length of the deal, says he briefed the president's children on multiple occasions.  

ABC News:

"Do you recall how many of these briefings there might have been?" Cohen was asked by Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, D-Mass., during the Feb. 27 public hearing before the House Oversight Committee.

"Approximately 10 in total," Cohen replied.

Two sources, from different congressional committees, told ABC News that lawmakers noticed the discrepancy between testimony from Trump Jr. and Cohen, and are planning to seek clarification from Trump Jr.'s attorney.

At least one member of Congress doubted Don Jr.'s honesty at the time. Following the interview, committee member Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) emailed a memo to “interested parties,” explaining the consequences for lying to Congress and insinuating he did not believe the President’s son had been truthful.

ABC News:

Sources close to Trump Jr. told ABC News he stands by his September 2017 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in which he said he was only "peripherally aware" of the Moscow tower deal.

"Most of my knowledge has been gained since as it relates to hearing about it over the last few weeks," Trump Jr. said, according to published transcripts.

It's unclear whether or how the committees will assess Cohen's indications that he briefed the president's eldest daughter, Ivanka Trump. She has not previously testified before Congress on the matter.

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Experts said it can be difficult to prove someone intended to mislead Congress, especially when it is one person's word against another's.

"You have to have other people who could corroborate what Michael Cohen is saying," said Peter R. Zeidenberg, a former federal prosecutor, now in private practice at the Washington firm Arent Fox.

Or there would need to be additional evidence, he added, such as email or text traffic involving Trump Jr. in which he indicates knowing more about the Moscow project.

"That he was paying attention -- that he was interested," Zeidenberg said.

Congress has new questions for Donald Trump Jr. about Moscow tower testimony (ABC News)

Donald Trump Jr.'s Testimony Transcript