DOJ Pursues Indictment Against Cassidy Hutchinson for Alleged False Testimony

<p>The Department of Justice is pursuing a criminal indictment against Cassidy Hutchinson for allegedly lying to Congress, according to Punchbowl News. Hutchinson, a former White House aide, testified about President Donald Trump’s actions on January 6, 2021.</p><p>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 conducted by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, which is an unusual assignment for a case centered on alleged false testimony. No indictment has been announced, and the specific statements prosecutors believe were false have not been publicly identified.</p><p>Hutchinson, who served as an aide to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, testified before the House committee investigating January 6 in June 2022. She alleged that Trump was aware that some supporters gathered for his speech on the Ellipse were armed and wanted security screening measures removed to proceed toward the Capitol.</p><p>One of her most widely publicized claims involved a confrontation inside Trump’s presidential vehicle after he finished speaking. Hutchinson testified that then-White House deputy chief of staff Anthony Ornato informed her that Trump became angry when Secret Service personnel refused to take him to the Capitol and attempted to grab the steering wheel while lunging toward the agent responsible for his security detail.</p><p>“Tony described him as being irate,” Hutchinson testified. She recalled Trump saying something to the effect of, “I’m the f&#8212;ing president, take me up to the Capitol now.”</p><p>However, the vehicle’s driver disputed Hutchinson's account in sworn testimony, stating 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 he did not witness the physical confrontation Hutchinson described.</p><p>Representatives 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 on the grand jury activity this week. Hutchinson had not been subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury, according to the report.</p><p>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 on Thursday.</p>