Arizona Republican U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar called Michael Cohen a "pathological liar" and said he didn't "know truth from falsehood" during Cohen's Wednesday hearing in front of the House Oversight and Reform Committee.
Gosar, a member of the committee, asked Cohen just a few questions during his allotted amount of time, instead choosing to mostly criticize and discredit President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer.
During his testimony, Cohen said Trump is a "racist," a "conman" and a "cheat." Cohen, who was sentenced to three years in prison on tax fraud and lying charges, said he was ashamed of the things he said he did to protect and promote Trump.
"I am ashamed that I chose to take part in concealing Mr. Trump's illicit acts rather than listening to my own conscience," Cohen said. "I am ashamed because I know what Mr. Trump is."
Republicans have used much of Wednesday's hearing to attempt to discredit Cohen and protect Trump, while Democrats have used the time to ask Cohen about his accusations against Trump, which he detailed under oath Wednesday.
Gosar began by saying Cohen was a "disgraced lawyer."
"I mean, you’ve been disbarred," Gosar said. "And so, I’m sure you remember – or maybe you don’t remember duty of loyalty, duty of confidentiality, attorney-client privilege."
Gosar said Cohen conflicted his testimony during questioning Wednesday, but he didn't specify how.
"You’re a pathological liar," Gosar said. "You don’t know truth from falsehood."
Cohen responded with a smirk on his face, "I’m sorry, are you referring to me or the president?"
"Hey, this is my time," a visibly angered Gosar said. "When I ask you a question, I’ll ask for an answer."
Gosar attempted to get Cohen to say he was receiving a reduced prison sentence in exchange for testifying. Cohen wouldn't bite.
Cohen: "There is a possibility."
Gosar: "The answer is yes."
Cohen: "No it’s not sir."
Gosar: "Yes it is."
Cohen: "OK, it’s not."
During the exchange, Cohen said, "if there is something that this group can do for me, I would gladly welcome it."
Gosar said America is watching Cohen's testimony and people aren't believing what Cohen's been saying.
"I’ve been getting texts right and left saying ‘How can anybody listen to this pathological person? He’s got a problem. He doesn’t know fact from fiction,'" Gosar said.
Gosar told Cohen everything he claims to have done to protect Trump, he did for himself.
"This is all about you," Gosar said.
While Gosar spoke to Cohen a large printed out poster of Cohen's face with the words "LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE!" hung behind the GOP committee members.
Gosar referenced the sign.
"There's no truth for you whatsoever, that's why that's important to you to look up here at the old adage that our moms taught us, 'liar, liar, pants on fire,'" he said.
Gosar told Cohen that "no one should ever listen to you and give you credibility."
"It's sad," Gosar said.
