Michael Cohen’s hearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform left Republicans feeling cornered, while democrats basked in the glory provided by Committee Chairman Elijah E. Cummings. Throughout his testimony in front of congress members and before millions across the country, Cohen spoke of atrocious lies, criminal behavior and election-tampering that Trump engaged in throughout their relationship that extended into his presidency. Cohen bared all, highlighting corrupt business tactics that trickled into his presidential policies and even into the email election scandal that many believe cost Hillary Clinton the election. The more that Cohen spoke of Trump, a familiar pattern began to appear, one that paralleled John W. Dean’s Watergate committee testimony as he exposed Richard Nixon and his White House.

In his opinion to the New York Times, Mr. Dean tells of his testimony and offers Michael Cohen advice as far as what lies ahead of him. According to Mr. Dean, Cohen will be vilified by many for the remainder of his life (Republicans), yet will be celebrated by others (Democrats) on the side. Aside from the corruption and federal charges that will leave him behind bars for the next three years, Cohen will have to live with the reality that he is the initiator of a means for Trump to be seriously considered for impeachment. The floodgates have opened and the sharks will scour every inch until they find what they are looking for. It seems that it’s only a matter of when and of how Trump will be impeached. Keep in mind, just as Mr. Dean mentions in his article, that authoritarian presidents of the United States do not play fair; rather, they will fight back and attempt to delegitimize and target anybody and anything that gets in their way. Just as Nixon had done in the past during the Watergate Scandal, Trump will protect his presidency by targeting any individual who attempts to uncover the corruption that he is desperately hiding from the world, and more importantly to an equipped Congress who now has a confounding lead.

As Chairman Cummings’ closing remarks made it apparent, the political corruption, the lies and the scandals have all become personal. Innocent people have been hurt and millions of Americans are represented by a president who has faced constant allegation and suspicion since the day that he took office. Now, however, the suspicions have become serious concern, and the country wants answers; real answers that will bring justice and preserve democracy. As Cummings hammered into Cohen and to the country, the hearing represented much more than what the Committee was called to address. Rather, the state of the country’s politics and the personal lives of its citizens have a very real connection. When the freedom, democracy and the well-being of all that live and pledge their allegiance to the United States falls into jeopardy by a totalitarian president, each individual must step in to preserve the fabric.

As Cummings urges, “keep democracy intact.”