Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, made explosive claims against former President Donald Trump during her testimony Tuesday in front of the January 6 select committee.
Hutchinson, 25, claimed that Trump on the day of rally, which later turned into a riot, tried to get Secret Service to take him to the U.S. Capitol building, and that he became enraged when they would not do it because the area was not secure.
Hutchinson claimed that Trump tried to grab the steering wheel of armored presidential limousine and that Bobby Engel, who was the lead security detail, had to tell him, “Sir, you need to take your hand off the steering wheel.”
Hutchinson claimed that Trump then lunged at the agent.
Hutchinson claimed that Trump was “furious” that apparently many of his supporters did not want to enter the rally space on January 6, 2021, because there were magnetometers, also known as “mags,” that were being used to screen for weapons.
“I don’t f***ing care that they have weapons,” Hutchinson claimed she heard Trump tell the Secret Service. “They’re not here to hurt me. Take the f***ing mags away. Let my people in. They can march to the Capitol from here.”
“I am the effing president, take me up to the Capitol now.”
Cassidy Hutchinson says Trump reached to grab the steering wheel when his security detail refused to take him to the Capitol — and lunged at his clavicle. pic.twitter.com/X6UQZvf1iT
— Axios (@axios) June 28, 2022
There was strong pushback to her claims online by many on the political Right who questioned whether some of her claims, like Trump grabbing the steering wheel, was even possible.
There were a couple of former White House staffers who came out and supported Hutchinson as they listened to her give her testimony.
“My guess is that before this is over, we will be hearing testimony from Ornato, Engle, and Meadows,” Mick Mulvaney, who previously served as Trump’s acting chief of staff, said. “This is explosive stuff. If Cassidy is making this up, they will need to say that. If she isn’t they will have to corroborate. I know her. I don’t think she is lying.”
My guess is that before this is over, we will be hearing testimony from Ornato, Engle, and Meadows.
This is explosive stuff. If Cassidy is making this up, they will need to say that. If she isn't they will have to corroborate.
I know her. I don't think she is lying.
— Mick Mulvaney (@MickMulvaney) June 28, 2022
“Anyone downplaying Cassidy Hutchinson’s role or her access in the West Wing either doesn’t understand how the Trump WH worked or is attempting to discredit her because they’re scared of how damning this testimony is,” Sarah Matthews, former White House deputy press secretary, tweeted. “For those complaining of ‘hearsay,’ I imagine the Jan. 6 committee would welcome any of those involved to deny these allegations under oath.”
For those complaining of “hearsay,” I imagine the Jan. 6 committee would welcome any of those involved to deny these allegations under oath.
— Sarah Matthews (@SarahAMatthews1) June 28, 2022
Source: Dailywire
