GOP lawmakers rip Dems for calling Cohen to testify | TheHill – The Hill

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the top Republican on the House Oversight and Reform Committee, on Thursday criticized news that President Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen is set to publicly testify before the panel next month.

Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) said in a statement earlier Thursday that Cohen had agreed to voluntarily testify on Feb. 7.

“Chairman Cummings promised to pursue rigorous, responsible, fact-based oversight,” Jordan said in a statement. “However, the Chairman’s announcement today suggests he will be using the committee as a venue for political theater rather than legitimate oversight.” 

Jordan knocked Cohen, saying he has pleaded guilty for misstatements he made to Congress while testifying about his contacts with Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign.

“The Democrats’ star witness has admitted to providing intentionally false and misleading testimony to Congress,” Jordan said. “He is also a witness in ongoing law-enforcement matters, including Special Counsel [Robert] Mueller’s probe.”

“When in the minority, Chairman Cummings and the Democrats have often cautioned against such actions,” he added. “Now that Chairman Cummings is in charge, the same standards don’t seem to apply. This makes clear that Chairman Cummings and the Democrats will do whatever it takes to attack this President.”

Rep. Mark MeadowsMark Randall MeadowsJordan renews call for Rosenstein to testify Here are the lawmakers who will forfeit their salaries during the shutdown Overnight Health Care: House files motion to defend ObamaCare in lawsuit | Trump Medicaid director leaving after three months MORE (R-N.C.), chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, characterized Cummings as a lawmaker “I have a great deal of respect for.” But Meadows sharply questioned the Democrats’ decision to call Cohen to testify.

“If he’s going to have real oversight, great,” Meadows added. “Let’s have [Deputy Attorney General] Rod RosensteinRod Jay RosensteinJordan renews call for Rosenstein to testify Judiciary Dems demand Whitaker testify, say shutdown isn’t a valid excuse The Hill’s 12:30 Report — Takeaways from Trump address | White House says emergency declaration ‘on the table’ | Dem response becomes a meme MORE come in and sit right beside Michael Cohen. I have a few questions for him, as well.”