DOJ Seeks To Indict Former White House Aide Over Claims She Lied

The Department of Justice is seeking a criminal indictment against Cassidy Hutchinson for allegedly lying to Congress, according to Punchbowl News. The former White House aide testified about President Donald Trump’s actions on January 6, 2021.

Federal prosecutors have presented evidence to a grand jury in Washington, D.C., as part of the investigation into her 2022 testimony. The investigation is being handled by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, an unusual assignment for the case, which is centered on alleged false testimony. No indictment has been announced, and the precise statements prosecutors believe were false have not been publicly identified.

Hutchinson, a former aide to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, testified before the House committee investigating January 6 in June 2022. She alleged that Trump knew some supporters gathered for his speech on the Ellipse were armed and wanted security screening measures removed so they could proceed toward the Capitol.

Her most widely publicized claim concerned a confrontation inside Trump’s presidential vehicle after he finished speaking. Hutchinson testified that then-White House deputy chief of staff Anthony Ornato told her Trump became furious when Secret Service personnel refused to take him to the Capitol and attempted to grab the steering wheel before lunging toward the agent responsible for his security detail.

“Tony described him as being irate,” Hutchinson testified. She recalled Trump saying something to the effect of, “I’m the f—ing president, take me up to the Capitol now.”

But the vehicle’s driver disputed that account in sworn testimony, saying he did not see Trump reach for the steering wheel or lunge toward the front of the vehicle. He acknowledged that Trump was irritated after being told he could not go to the Capitol, but said he did not witness the physical confrontation Hutchinson described.

Reps. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) referred Hutchinson to the Justice Department earlier this year, according to the Washington Post, alleging that she provided false testimony. Punchbowl first reported this week’s grand jury activity. Hutchinson had not been subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury, according to the report.

Hutchinson has previously acknowledged being under Justice Department investigation in court filings related to a separate case. Her attorneys and the department did not immediately respond to The Washington Post’s requests for comment Thursday.

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