According to testimony Tuesday by Cassidy Hutchinson (an ex-aide to the White House), former President Donald Trump planned to visit the Capitol Jan. 6, 2021. He made his speech calling for supporters to march there. However, he became “irate” when told that he couldn’t.
Trump stated to the Ellipse rally that he would visit the Capitol. According to messages from the committee, Secret Service and National Security Council staff discussed “clearing an route.” Security personnel used the codename “Mogul” to refer to Trump in the communications.
Hutchinson, then a top adviser to White House Chief Of Staff Mark Meadows, stated that the president was misunderstood to be taken to Capitol after his speech.
Trump was told there were no security assets, and that he would have to return to White House. Trump became “irate” and tried to grab the steering wheel “The Beast,” Trump’s armored vehicle. Hutchinson was not present at the altercation but heard about it from others. Those who were there didn’t dispute the account, she stated.
“I am the effing President, get me up to Capitol now!” Hutchinson testified Trump said.
Trump spoke of walking to the Capitol where he could give a speech or enter a chamber. She said that Trump tried to take the wheel of his vehicle and direct it the right way when staff stopped him from doing so.
Hutchinson also stated that Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader, contacted her during the rally to ask her to ensure that Trump did not visit the Capitol.
Trump posted on Truth Social his response to Hutchinson’s testimony: “Her Fake Story that I tried to grab control of the White House Limousine to drive it to the Capitol Building”
Trump had previously posted the following about the witness: “I don’t know much about Cassidy Hutchinson except that I have heard negative things about her (“a complete phony” and “leaker”), so when she asked me to take her to Florida with some other members of the team, I turned it down. If she thought we were so horrible, why did she want us to go along? She was upset, which I can understand. I did not want her to be there or be part of the team. She is terrible news!”
