Mike Johnson slammed as he says Michael Cohen is 'on mission for personal revenge' amid hush money trial

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: US House Speaker Mike Johnson emerged as a vocal defender of former President Donald Trump on Tuesday, May 14, denouncing the ongoing hush money trial against Trump as a politically motivated "sham" and accusing Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen of being "on a mission for personal revenge."

Johnson's appearance at the New York courthouse marked a significant escalation in Republican support for Trump, as he became the highest-ranking GOP figure to publicly challenge the legitimacy of the legal proceedings.

Mike Johnson challenges Michael Cohen's credibility

In a fiery statement outside the courthouse, Johnson lambasted the case as an unjust persecution orchestrated by political adversaries. He specifically targeted Cohen, the key witness in the trial, questioning his credibility and accusing him of harboring personal vendettas.

“This is a man who is clearly on a mission for personal revenge,” Johnson asserted, referring to Cohen. “He is someone who has a history of perjury. No one should believe a word he says in there.”

Johnson claimed that lead prosecutor Matthew Colangelo “recently received over $10,000 in payments from the Democratic National Committee," insinuating a conflict of interest.

Additionally, he targeted the daughter of Judge Juan M Merchan, alleging that she had amassed "millions of dollars" through online fundraising for Democratic causes, the Associated Press reported.

Johnson, positioned as second in line for the presidency, didn't mince words in his criticism of the judicial system. He decried the trial as a “this ridiculous prosecution that is not about justice," adding, “It’s all about politics.”

The House Speaker's staunch defense of Trump transcended legal boundaries, as he navigated around a gag order restraining the former president from commenting on the trial. “It is election interference,” Johnson said Tuesday, noting he was appearing on his own to support his "friend" Trump. “And the American people are not going to let this stand.”

Trump, barred from directly addressing the case, praised Johnson and other allies for their unwavering support. "I do have a lot of surrogates," Trump remarked, highlighting the coordinated effort to bolster his defense, “and they are speaking very beautifully.”

Mike Johnson faces backlash on social media

However, Johnson's intervention drew sharp criticism from Trump's detractors on social media, who accused him of prioritizing partisan loyalty over his duties to the American people.

"Do you work for the American People or Trump?? Why are you at his court case?" one posted on X.

"Mr Speaker, you should not be there. Allow the judiciary to fulfill its responsibilities, please," another wrote.

"I’m disgusted that a supposed man of God is using his office, whose salary is paid by taxpayers, to attempt to influence a criminal case. Rot," someone else lamented.

"I'm disgusted by the Speaker of the House. Spending your time lying for a corrupt conman instead of solving the real issues facing our nation. This is why you've already lost the House majority in November. America wants better," a comment read.

"I wasn't aware your job was to be at a trial for a former president. You should be focusing on your actual work, like passing legislation that affects the American people. How is this more important to you than the border?" another asked.

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