Washington, D.C. - In case you missed it, the Judiciary Committee’s Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government held a hearing to examine the use of lawfare tactics to weaponize the rule of law. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik questioned Partner at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron Robert Costello on the unprecedented nature of the deployment of Joe Biden’s political operatives to conduct a coordinated, multi-front lawfare campaign meant to keep President Donald Trump in the courtroom and away from the campaign trail.
Watch her full line of questioning here.
Read a full transcript of her line of questioning below:
Congresswoman Stefanik: Oh, I love being able to respond to the novice from New York. First of all, thank you so much for stating the obvious that political lawfare is in fact election interference. That’s what we’re seeing with the sham Alvin Bragg trial. Thank you also to the novice freshman member from New York highlighting that withholding military aid to an ally for a political purpose just like Joe Biden is doing to Israel. Always grateful for you stepping in. Mr. Costello, in your opening statement you said that in the over 50 years serving as a lawyer, you “have never seen the types of politically motivated cases that have been brought in this presidential election season. These political cases are being used as a weapon of war to damage, defeat, or impede political adversaries, and their allies. Instead of political warfare, it is lawfare, a cancer upon our collective judicial system.” I want to begin with Alvin Bragg’s weaponized sham trial in New York. Isn’t it true that in Alvin Bragg’s campaign for Manhattan DA, Bragg specifically ran on going after President Donald Trump?
Mr. Robert Costello: That is true.
Congresswoman Stefanik: Isn’t it true that Bragg’s predecessor Cy Vance declined to prosecute President Trump?
Mr. Robert Costello: That is true.
Congresswoman Stefanik: And the FEC also did not prosecute President Trump.
Mr. Robert Costello: That is true.
Congresswoman Stefanik: And the DOJ did not prosecute President Trump in this case.
Mr. Robert Costello: The DOJ referring to the U.S. attorney for the Southern District?
Congresswoman Stefanik: Correct.
Mr. Robert Costello: Absolutely true.
Congresswoman Stefanik: And one of the reasons the Southern District of New York turned down this case was because the supposed star witness, according to Alvin Bragg, Michael Cohen, was totally “unworthy of belief.” Isn’t that true?
Mr. Robert Costello: Without a doubt.
Congresswoman Stefanik: This is the same Michael Cohen who plead guilty to seven counts in an indictment that had absolutely nothing to do with President Trump and actually predated the first time he met President Trump, correct?
Mr. Robert Costello: Absolutely true.
Congresswoman Stefanik: And in fact, this is the same Michael Cohen, who perjured himself to Congress. Isn’t that true?
Mr. Robert Costello: Yes.
Congresswoman Stefanik: In fact, when called as a witness in this sham trial, Cohen was asked directly if he was honest during his testimony to Congress. He said “no,” admitting perjury. But it’s not just Bragg’s case that is a total sham and an illegal political lawfare going after Joe Biden‘s top political opponent, Donald Trump. This rot goes deep, all the way up to the top in the Oval Office. Because when Congress referred this admission of Cohen’s perjury to Joe Biden’s DOJ, isn’t it true that the DOJ has refused to prosecute?
Mr. Robert Costello: That is true.
Congresswoman Stefanik: Isn’t it correct that Michael Colangelo, who was the third highest ranking official in Biden’s DOJ was transferred to Bragg’s office to run this weaponized prosecution of President Trump. Isn’t that true?
Mr. Robert Costello: Not only true but it’s unheard of.
Congresswoman Stefanik: Unheard of. It’s a disgrace. Do you agree that this weaponization of lawfare goes straight to the top with the purpose of helping Joe Biden‘s failing presidential campaign?
Mr. Robert Costello: The circumstantial evidence definitely supports that.
Congresswoman Stefanik: And the unconstitutional gag order on President Trump from New York Judge Merchan is unprecedented lawfare?
Mr. Robert Costello: As far as I know, absolutely.
Congresswoman Stefanik: And let’s go to the daughter of the judge. Isn’t it true that she is raising millions of dollars off of this sham case?
Mr. Robert Costello: Well, I have to say, I read that in the media. I don’t know it of my own knowledge.
Congresswoman Stefanik: It is true.
Mr. Robert Costello: Thank you.
Congresswoman Stefanik: One additional question. I want to talk about the rigged and unprecedented jury selection process. Isn’t it true that Bragg’s team asked the jurors if they followed Trump on social media?
Mr. Robert Costello: Yes.
Congresswoman Stefanik: And isn’t it true that they did not ask any of the potential jurors if they followed Biden on social media?
Mr. Robert Costello: Or Michael Cohen.
Congresswoman Stefanik: Or Michael Cohen.
Mr. Robert Costello: Yes.
Congresswoman Stefanik: And isn’t it true that 87% of the jurors said they voted for Joe Biden.
Mr. Robert Costello: That’s true.
Congresswoman Stefanik: Is this unprecedented and lawfare jury shopping?
Mr. Robert Costello: Without a doubt.
Congresswoman Stefanik: Without a doubt. Political lawfare for the purpose of election interference to go after Donald Trump. Do you agree?
Mr. Robert Costello: Totally.
Congresswoman Stefanik: This is one of the reasons that Trump’s polls continue to skyrocket and it’s why President Trump will win in 2024, to end the illegal and warped weaponization of the justice system, because if they can illegally go after Trump, they can go after anyone.
