Congressman Cohen Questions Premise of Hearing on Lawfare

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee and its Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government, today spoke about the legitimacy of state and federal prosecutions of Donald Trump at a hearing titled “Legislative Reforms to End Lawfare by State and Local Prosecutors.”

“Lawfare” refers to the use of the legal system for political or other ends. The Committee will mark up the Promptly Ending Political Prosecutions and Executive Retaliation Act on Wednesday, a bill removing state court actions to federal courts if they “hinder, burden or delay” the duties of a president or vice president. It would also expand immunity for the president and vice president. Congressman Cohen said the measure is unneeded.

Congressman Cohen addressed the false narrative advanced by Republicans that there was no Russian involvement in the 2016 election that benefitted Trump and said the Trump-appointed judge in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case mishandled it, then dismissed it, to Trump’s advantage. With respect the criminal case in New York, he noted a jury voir dired by both sides found Trump guilty of 34 counts in his New York state court hush money case.

“The Russians helped Trump get elected in 2016…You say there’s not been a president indicted before. There’s never been a president so easy to indict. The guy has committed more crimes than all the other presidents put together…

“There is no need for this law…Donald Trump should not make law; he should not be where he is. This is what happens when you elect somebody who is emotionally, morally and intellectually incapable of doing the job.”

See the congressman’s remarks here.

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