Blanche highlights Cohen's history of lying under oath, including to a federal judge

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche repeatedly questioned former Trump attorney Michael Cohen on Thursday about the lies he has made under oath.

Dating back to 2017, Blanche highlighted several instances where Cohen lied under oath, including to Congress about a Trump Tower Moscow project and federal investigators from special counsel Robert Mueller's office.

Blanche asked Cohen about the oath and whether he believed it changed depending on the setting. "No," Cohen responded.

Blanche also asked Cohen about his earlier testimony that he accepted responsibility for his actions but also said he was lying to protect Trump. Cohen stated he takes responsibility.

Under oath last October, Cohen said he lied under oath more than once in front of Judge Pauley, who sentenced Cohen to three years in prison in 2018 after he pleaded guilty to charges that included campaign finance fraud and lying to Congress.

Cohen agreed again Thursday that he did indeed lie under oath to Judge Pauley. He agrees its because the stakes affected him personally.

Blanche's questioning also led Cohen to admit that he believes he shouldn't have been charged with some federal crimes in 2018, including tax evasion charges related to his investments in New York City taxi medallions.

"You felt that you did not engage in tax fraud but you had to plead guilty to protect your wife and family?" Blanche asked.