Michael Cohen's opening statement., page-35

Over the past year or so, I have done some real soul searching. I see nowthat my ambition and the intoxication of Trump power had much to do withthe bad decisions I made.

To you, Chairman Cummings, Ranking Member Jordan, the othermembers of this Committee, and the other members of the House andSenate, I am sorry for my lies and for lying to Congress.

To our nation, I am sorry for actively working to hide from you the truthabout Mr. Trump when you needed it most.

For those who question my motives for being here today, I understand. Ihave lied, but I am not a liar. I have done bad things, but I am not a badman. I have fixed things, but I am no longer your “fixer,” Mr. Trump.

I am going to prison and have shattered the safety and security that I triedso hard to provide for my family. My testimony certainly does not diminish19the pain I caused my family and friends – nothing can do that. And I havenever asked for, nor would I accept, a pardon from President Trump.

And, by coming today, I have caused my family to be the target of personal,scurrilous attacks by the President and his lawyer – trying to intimidate mefrom appearing before this panel. Mr. Trump called me a “rat” for choosingto tell the truth – much like a mobster would do when one of his mendecides to cooperate with the government.

As Exhibit 8 shows, I have provided the Committee with copies of Tweetsthat Mr. Trump posted, attacking me and my family – only someone buryinghis head in the sand would not recognize them for what they are:encouragement to someone to do harm to me and my family.

I never imagined that he would engage in vicious, false attacks on myfamily – and unleash his TV-lawyer to do the same. I hope this committeeand all members of Congress on both sides of the aisle will make it clear:As a nation, we should not tolerate attempts to intimidate witnesses beforecongress and attacks on family are out of bounds and not acceptable.

I wish to especially thank Speaker Pelosi for her statements in Exhibit 9 toprotect this institution and me, and the Chairman of the House Permanent 20Select Committee on Intelligence Adam Schiff and Chairman Cummings forlikewise defending this institution and my family against the attacks by Mr.Trump, and also the many Republicans who have admonished thePresident as well.

I am not a perfect man. I have done things I am not proud of, and I will livewith the consequences of my actions for the rest of my life.

But today, I get to decide the example I set for my children and how Iattempt to change how history will remember me. I may not be able tochange the past, but I can do right by the American people here today.

Thank you for your attention. I am happy to answer the Committee’squestions.

ENDS