• Just after midnight, Politico published Michael Cohen’s full opening statement, ahead of his testimony before the House Oversight Committee.
  • On Wednesday at 10 a.m., Cohen will testify publicly before the House Oversight Committee – the second in three days of hearings before congressional lawmakers.
  • In the opening statement, Cohen outlined the documents he gave to the committee to back up his claims.

Just after midnight, Politico published Michael Cohen’s full opening statement, ahead of his testimony before the House Oversight Committee.

Cohen served as President Donald Trump’s lawyer and fixer. He pleaded guilty to charges in two separate federal investigations: one count of lying to Congress in the Robert Mueller probe, charges of bank and tax fraud, and campaign finance violations in a case brought by the US attorney’s office in Manhattan.

On Wednesday at 10 a.m., Cohen will testify publicly before the House Oversight Committee – the second in three days of hearings before lawmakers.

Read more: ‘I am ashamed because I know what Mr. Trump is’: Michael Cohen’s bombshell opening statement before the House Oversight Committee drops hours before he is scheduled to testify

In addition to calling Trump a "racist," "conman," and "cheat" and naming Trump as "Individual 1" as it is referred to in court documents, in the 20-page document Cohen outlined the documents he gave to the committee to back up his claims.

"I recognize that some of you may doubt and attack me on my credibility," Cohen's statement says. "It is for this reason that I have incorporated into this opening statement documents that are irrefutable, and demonstrate that the information you will hear is accurate and truthful."

The full list is reprinted below:

  • A copy of a check Mr. Trump wrote from his personal bank account - after he became president - to reimburse me for the hush money payments I made to cover up his affair with an adult film star and prevent damage to his campaign;
  • Copies of financial statements for 2011 - 2013 that he gave to such institutions as Deutsche Bank;
  • A copy of an article with Mr. Trump's handwriting on it that reported on the auction of a portrait of himself - he arranged for the bidder ahead of time and then reimbursed the bidder from the account of his non-profit charitable foundation, with the picture now hanging in one of his country clubs; and
  • Copies of letters I wrote at Mr. Trump's direction that threatened his high school, colleges, and the College Board not to release his grades or SAT scores.