Michael Cohen\'s testimony got off to a heated start with two of Trump\'s key GOP allies attempting to derail the proceedings

Mark Meadows Jim JordanRepublican Representatives Mark Meadows (R-NC) and Jim Jordan (R-OH) stand together prior to the arrival of former Trump personal attorney Michael Cohen to testify at a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, February 27, 2019Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Two of President Donald Trump's key allies in the House, GOP Reps. Mark Meadows and Jim Jordan, didn't waste any time attempting to derail the testimony of Michael Cohen - Trump's former personal lawyer and fixer - on Wednesday. 

As House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings of Maryland attempted to get the proceedings going, Meadows interrupted him and moved to postpone the meeting.

Meadows contended Cohen broke the rules by submitting his testimony late and said there wasn't enough time to review the evidence. The Republican representative from North Carolina was dismayed by the fact Cohen submitted his testimony on Tuesday night and not 24 hours in advance of the meeting. 

"It was an intentional effort by this witness and his advisors to once again show his disdain for this body," Meadows said. 

The committee rules Meadows was seemingly invoking state testimony must be submitted within 24 hours, but adds "so far as practicable."

 

Jordan, the ranking member on the committee, joined Meadows in this effort and expressed his discontentment with the nature of the hearing. 

After the committee voted Meadows' motion to postpone down, the Ohio representative continued to spar with Cummings, whom he's sitting next to during the proceedings. 

 

"Your chairmanship will always be identified with this hearing," Jordan said to Cummings.

Read more about Cohen's testimony:

{{}}