The House committee that was investigating the attack on the Capitol Jan. 6 announced Wednesday that it had subpoenaed Pat Cipollone, former White House counsel. This news comes just a day after Cassidy Hutchinson (an aide to former White House chief staff Mark Meadows) testified before Congress that Cipollone raised concerns about Trump’s desire for a trip to the Capitol Jan. 6, 2021 and the language Trump intended to use at the Ellipse.
“The Select Committee’s investigation revealed evidence that Mr. Cipollone repeatedly raised concerns legal and other about President Trump’s activities on January 6th, and the days preceding,” Bennie Thompson, chairman of the committee and Liz Cheney stated in a statement that announced the subpoena. “While the Select Committee appreciates Mr. Cipollone’s earlier informal engagement in our investigation, it needs to hear from the committee on record, just as other former White House counsels did in other congressional investigations.”
The statement concluded that any concerns Mr. Cipollone may have about the institutional prerogatives and office he held previously are clearly outweighed in the need to hear his testimony.
Hutchinson spoke about Cipollone several times Tuesday during her testimony. Perhaps most notable was when she said that Trump wanted to visit the Capitol on January 6.
She said that Mr. Cipollone approached her on January 3rd knowing that Mark [Meadows] had discussed the possibility of him going up to Capitol on January 6th.” “Mr. Cipollone had spoken to me privately and said that he wanted to ensure that this didn’t happen. This would be a legal disaster for us. “We have serious legal concerns if that day we go up to Capitol.”
She claimed that she had spoken with Cipollone in a similar manner on January 6, just before the Ellipse rally.
Hutchinson said that Cipollone had stated, “We’re going be charged with every crime possible if we make this movement happen.”
In the days leading to January 6, she said Cipollone was especially concerned about “potentially obstruction of justice or frauding the electoral count”. She also said in previously recorded testimony that Cipollone was concerned about the appearance that they are inciting riot.
Hutchinson also stated that she was aware that Cipollone had concerns about Trump’s speech at the Ellipse. She told the committee that there were “many discussions” the morning of 6th about Trump’s speech.
Hutchinson stated that the language was something like “Fight for Trump.” We’re going march to the Capitol,” Hutchinson said, adding that Trump wanted to include information “about the vice-president at the time” as well.
She also recalls Cipollone “barreling down” the hallway on January 6, at 2 p.m., to try and get Meadows to speak to Trump. She claimed that Cipollone had told Meadows the rioters had reached the Capitol and they needed to see Trump right away. Meadows replied, “He doesn’t want to do any, Pat.”
Cipollone said, “Mark something must be done, or people will die, and blood’s going be on your effing hands.” Hutchinson said that this was out of control.
The committee was also informed by her that Cipollone was part a group that convinced Trump to speak on January 7. However, she noted in previous recorded testimony that he attempted to discourage Trump from speaking about a pardon.
John Wood, the Jan.6 committee’s investigative lawyer, said Wednesday to CBS News that Cipollone being subpoenaed was necessary because it was “really important” for them to speak with him.
Witnesses have repeatedly mentioned the name of the former White House counsel, which was brought up during the Jan. 6, hearings. It was described by witnesses as someone who tried to stop the president’s and his associates from engaging in illegal and destructive actions after the election.
The fourth hearing was over when the vice chair of the committee, Rep. Liz Cheney called upon Cipollone, to testify voluntarily. He noted his rare insight into Trump’s actions following the election.
She stated that “Our committee is certain Donald Trump doesn’t want Mr. Cipollone testify here.” Our evidence clearly shows that Mr. Cipollone’s office and Mr. Cipollone tried to do the right thing. They attempted to stop President Trump’s Jan. plans. 6.”
She stated that “we believe the American people deserve to have Mr. Cipollone speak directly to them.” “He should appear in front of this committee and we are working hard to secure his testimony.”
The committee played several times a clip about Cipollone’s threats of resignation after the election, over plans to keep Trump in power. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son in law, testified that he considered Cipollone’s threats to resign during the weeks leading to January 6 to have been “whining.”
Reporting was contributed by Ellen Uchimiya and Caroline Linton
