Dem lawmaker calls on Fox News to fire Hannity

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) said Monday that Fox News should fire Sean Hannity following the revelation that he is a client of President Trump’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen.

Hannity has frequently covered stories about Cohen — including the FBI raids on the New York lawyer’s home, hotel room and office last week — without revealing his own connection.

{mosads}“I think he is so into this like a pig in the mud he can’t get out of it. And I think he deserves to be fired. His word can never again be trusted,” Connolly said on CNN.

Connolly said Hannity’s involvement with Cohen represents a conflict of interest, calling it “a big stain on Hannity and Fox News.”

He also hit Hannity for spreading conspiracy theories about former President Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and slain Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich.

Cohen’s attorney revealed earlier Monday that Hannity is the previously unnamed third client for whom Cohen has done legal work. The revelation came during a hearing connected to the FBI raids.

At least one other Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Jackie Speier (Calif.), called for Hannity to be suspended over the news.

#Hannity needs to be put on leave immediately. How can a network claim to be “fair and balanced” when their top anchor has a relationship with Cohen — Trump’s enforcer and main conduit for info and shady deals? #Cohens3rdClient

— Jackie Speier (@RepSpeier) April 17, 2018

Cohen’s attorney revealed Hannity’s identity as they sought to argue they should be able to review materials seized in the raid before federal prosecutors, so that they can determine what documents are protected by attorney–client privilege.

Hannity downplayed the news, asserting that Cohen had never formally represented him in legal proceedings.

“I have occasionally had brief discussions with him about legal questions about which I wanted his input and perspective,” Hannity tweeted, adding that those conversations “dealt almost exclusively about real estate.” 

Hannity is a staunch ally of Trump’s and frequently defends the president on his Fox News show. He was fiercely critical of last week’s raids. 

—Updated at 8:14 p.m.