Cassidy Hutchinson, aide to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, offered an explosive testimony Tuesday that former President Trump wanted to arrive at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, even grabbing the wheel of the presidential vehicle and throwing in his head. security when he was told he could not go, he said.
The former Hutchinson chief has not complied with summonses to appear before the committee. She testified Tuesday that he and former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani called for presidential pardons.
Among Hutchinson’s extraordinary revelations was that Trump was told that the crowd at his rally on the Ellipse before the Capitol riot had guns and other weapons. She testified that Trump said “something to the effect of,” I don’t care if they have guns. They are not here to hurt me. Take out the effect magazines. Let my people in. They can march to the Capitol from the Capitol. here. Let people in. Take out the effects magazines, “referring to magnetometers, or metal detectors, used for security inspection.
Cassidy Hutchinson appears during a public hearing of the select committee of the United States House investigating the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, the Capitol, Washington, June 28, 2022. SWIMMING POOL / REUTERS
Hutchinson also stated that Giuliani told him on January 2 “‘Cass, are you excited about day 6? It will be a great day.'”
Hutchinson said Tuesday he asked Giuliani to explain the importance of Jan. 6. She said she replied, “Let’s go to the Capitol. It’ll be great. The president will be there, he’ll look powerful.” “and encouraged her to talk to Meadows.
After Giuliani left the White House campus, Hutchinson said yes he asked Meadows about Jan. 6 and he said “‘it looks like we’re going to the Capitol.'”
“‘ There’s a lot of things to do in Cass, but I don’t know, things could get really, really bad on January 6, ”Meadows told Hutchinson, he recalled.
Hutchinson also testified how angry Trump was after Attorney General Bill Barr told the Associated Press in an interview after the 2020 election that there was no evidence of widespread electoral fraud that would change his outcome.
As he entered the White House dining room, Hutchinson noticed a valet changing the tablecloth. The valet gestured toward the mantle of the fireplace and the television, he said.
“I first noticed that there was ketchup dripping down the wall and there was a broken porcelain plate on the floor,” he told the committee. “The valet had articulated that the president was very angry about AP’s interview with the attorney general and had thrown the lunch against the wall.”
Hutchinson then grabbed a towel to help and recalled the apartment telling him about Trump, “He’s very worried about that. It would keep me away from him right now.”
At a previous hearing, the Jan. 6 committee played video excerpts from Barr’s testimony. In that excerpt, he said, “I went there and told my secretary that they would probably fire me and tell me no … not to go back to my office, so I said, ‘Maybe you should pack for me “.
At the end of the hearing, House Speaker Jan. 6, committee chairwoman Liz Cheney, said some of the witnesses who have appeared before the committee have received messages from some of the inner members of the Trump circle. He read some of the texts, including one that said “he wants me to let you know he’s thinking of you. He knows you’re loyal.”
“Most Americans know that trying to influence witnesses because they testify falsely presents very serious concerns,” Cheney said in closing, noting that the committee will discuss how to proceed.
Hutchinson’s testimony came amid a two-week hiatus and he called unexpectedly a few days after the committee said there would be no more hearings until July. Committee chairman Rep Bennie Thompson said Tuesday’s hearing was called because Hutchinson’s information was “quite urgent.”
“Ms. Hutchinson is justifiably proud of her service to the country as the president’s special assistant,” Hutchinson’s attorneys Jody Hunt and William Jordan said in a statement. “While she did not seek the attention that accompanied her testimony today, she believes it was her duty and responsibility to provide the committee with her truthful and sincere observations on the events surrounding January 6. Ms. Hutchinson believes January 6 was a horrible day for the country, and it is vital for the future of our democracy not to be repeated.
The commission is expected to resume hearings in July.
Earlier hearings focused on Trump’s pressure campaigns in all branches of government, from Vice President Mike Pence and the Justice Department to state lawmakers and local election officials.