Former Mark Meadows aide Cassidy Hutchinson generated shockwaves on Capitol Hill yesterday with testimony that portrayed former President Donald Trump as a power-hungry tyrant fueled by the unrealistic promises of election conspiracy theorists.
However, her testimony extended beyond what she witnessed on Jan. 6 with secondhand claims built on hearsay. (RELATED: Fmr Meadows Aide Makes Never-Before-Heard Claims Before Jan. 6 Committee)
Hutchinson acknowledged that she didn't witness Trump lunge at his Secret Service driver for refusing to drive him to the Capitol as hundreds of pro-Trump rioters prepared to enter the heart of American democracy.
She did say that when she arrived back at the White House, she encountered deputy chief of staff Tony Ornato and Robert Engel, the head of Trump's security detail. The men supposedly recounted how an incensed Trump tried to grab Engel by the throat.
The committee previously interviewed Ornato and Engel, suggesting (to a competent observer) that they had corroborated Hutchinson's testimony.
It's easy to forget how much of an oxymoron government competence truly is.
Still, the last thing the Jan. 6 committee would want is for Hutchinson's testimony to come under scrutiny thanks to discrepancies among secondary details.
It may be too late. The Secret Service has made it official — agents are prepared to talk about Trump's mental state and actions that day.
As Hot Air's Ed Morrisey reports:
Bear in mind that the “grabbing the steering wheel” and “assaulting an agent” was not the most substantive part of Hutchinson's testimony. In fact, it was more like a color commentary on Trump, and entirely unnecessary when the play-by-play was compelling enough. Hutchinson had testified that she personally heard Trump demanding that the magnetometers be taken down outside his rally as he didn't object to armed people in the crowd that he would shortly send down to the Capitol. She also testified that both Mark Meadows and Rudy Giuliani began asking for pardons in the wake of January 6, which at least shows some cognizance of risk for criminal prosecution over what happened.
If those aren't quite smoking guns or the equivalent of the Nixon tapes in this scandal, they're still pretty close. Politically speaking, they're devastating — if Hutchinson remains credible. All of these are single-person eyewitness reports, not backed (as of yet) by documentary evidence or corroborating testimony. A seasoned prosecutor would have remained disciplined in ensuring Hutchinson didn't risk her credibility as a witness by indulging in speculation or passing along gossip within her testimony.
Instead, the committee had Hutchinson testify to what Tony Ornato told her about Trump, the steering wheel, and an assault rather than have Ornato testify to that directly. It looks like that part of Hutchinson's testimony was false, which means that the rest of her testimony will be viewed as suspect, and the fault is the committee's rather than the witness'. Why not call Ornato for that purpose? Better yet, why not ask the driver and the other Secret Service agent to check that story first before making your star witness look like a gossipy fool on the national stage?
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This is also why committee investigations work best when both parties have full representation on the panels. A better-constituted panel might have pulled back and questioned the strategy; the presence of at least a couple of adversarial members would have at least given the committee leaders some pause about using Hutchinson in this manner.
The debacle also demonstrates why hearsay is typically not admissible as evidence in criminal court as it can be unreliable and prejudicial. (RELATED: Jan. 6 Committee Says It Has Enough Evidence to Indict Trump)
Another potential blow to Hutchinson's credibility concerns a handwritten note with a statement for then-President Trump to give while violence and vandalism sullied the U.S. Capitol.
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) displayed the note at yesterday's hearing. Hutchinson said under oath that she wrote the statement while her boss, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, dictated to her.
However, ABC News reports today that sources close to the committee say that former Trump White House lawyer Eric Herschmann wrote the note.
“The handwritten note that Cassidy Hutchinson testified was written by her was in fact written by Eric Herschmann on January 6, 2021,” a spokesperson for Herschmann told ABC News Tuesday evening.
“All sources with direct knowledge and law enforcement have and will confirm that it was written by Mr. Herschmann,” the spokesperson said.
So, what do you think? And are you surprised at the Jan. 6 committee's apparent sloppiness? As always, we look forward to reading your comments below!
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
READ NEXT: Even CNN Agrees Democrats' January 6th Congressional Hearings Are a Kangaroo Court >>
This is why a true hearing allows a defense to correct false information and a kangaroo court like occurs in communist countries. Our constitution provides that you are not guilty until it is proven and this committee already has it’s planned outcome which makes all their information suspect. Why not a defense?
She decided to emulate HRC! Steele may be available for hire!
Just looking for her 15 minutes of fame. Hope she enjoys it in jail! Lying under oath is “ supposed “ to be perjury isn’t it? But this kangaroo court won’t charge her.
Liars questioning Liars.
Amazing, a body of people investigating each other over truthfulness and fact. All Politicians are liars and couldn’t locate the truth if it was in their pocket.
How is it that nobody said anything about the four buses that were escorted in by a State Police crusier or the Police opening the barracades and waving the people in
Also heard a piece of her “testimony” where she said something to the effect of (I don’t remember the exact words) “I took it to mean. . . ” meaning she was giving an INTERPRETATION of what was said, not exact words. She’s as reliable as the lady who called Brett Kavanaugh a rapist. . . . . .
Don’t expect fairness.
This is like watching a Trial where the Prosecution hand picks the Defendants lawyer.
A woman who probably was ditched.
I guess people who constantly lie arent aware that if they implicate others in their lies, they should verify their stories. Didn’t any one on this committee talk to this insipid witness, didn’t they realize how stupid they would all look once she opened her mouth. May they reap what they are sowing, big time, and soon. Hopefully November clears DC of the stench these sewer dwellers saturated the very air with.
I always thought that a presidential limo had a bullet proof glass between the President and driver or was it removed prior to the incident and why was it removed . The person making these statements is apparently lying big Time , no super large Time .
Why do we watch hearsay and then put into people’s minds lies and destruction of someone elses character? They have tried it several time with the impeachment and I hope Durham comes out with the truth quickly and lay it out who were the ones destroying Trump with hearsay. These people should all be tried for treason and destruction of our great country! With the Russian lies it had CIA, NSA, prior President, FBI and some of Congress. Why aren’t they investigation those lies and clean up the mess?
In a “real” court this testimony and all the “facts” presented would be tossed out. How dumb do they think we are?
I won’t hold my breath as I wait for the AP to report the other side (this side). They have already gleefully smeared the POTUS as this Left wing rag always seems to do.
The entire charade is for one purpose only….to keep Trump from running and winning again. They are the ones needing investigated….BIG TIME!! We all know why they are doing it and refuse to give the stations ratings by turning it on. It is also a BIG waste of tax payer dollars. Trump was justified in his anger that day….and so are those who voted for him overwhelmingly and legally. The people will never get over this until election fraud is looked into and investigated well. They think we are fools in the states that tell us it was the most secure election ever. Yeah…right! WE have all the evidence we need. The rallies for Trump attended by over 50,ooo in some cities….and then basement Joe can barely fill an auditorium. That says it all folks!
I have never in my lifetime seen such hate and spending of our tax dollar over envy and lying about this whole thing! If I were Trump I don’t think I could be as strong as he has been and do such good things for our country. Why wouldn’t you be angry that there was fraud and seeing a person taking over leadership that was going to destroy us so quickly. To me it is like Jesus turning over the tables of the temple when people were using it to sell their goods. Trump loves America and wants to keep us America and not sell out to illegals in which we have it now. I sure would like to see Pelosi if she was accused of wrong and how she would act!! We know.
Well said. My thoughts exactly.
She is not the first assistant in the Trump administration to accuse him or his appointees of wrongdoing. Who hired these people who have had their accusations at least countered and often proven to be lies? I want Trump to be our next President but please, have someone like Mark Grenell (I find it hard to come up with another person to name of his caliber). Donald Trump is a man for our times; we need a person of this time in the cesspool that is Washington to know who is innately false.
ALL Lies day 1
I just left a comment and then saw this 2018 article where she says “I was brought to tears when I received the email that I had been selected to participate” (in the White House Internship). “As a first generation college student, being selected to serve as an intern alongside some of the most intelligent and driven students across the nation – many of whom attend top universities – was an honor and a tremendous growing experience”.
She had already been an intern for Senator Ted Cruz and Rep. Steve Scalise.
Does anyone else read that her elation is about inclusion with the “best” students from “top universities” and nothing to do with a commitment to this country, the American people or working with those she admires and respects? It appears Cassidy needs to be assured she is equal to the standards of “the best and top”. This is not a woman thinking how she can serve this country. She is a girl thinking as some kind of sorority sister. How could she have been selected by these astute politicians and their staff?
Please, President Trump, do not allow this self destruction continue.
The Statement that the Secret Service did Not Allow the President( Trump) to go to the Capital & Instead took Him Under Protective Service Protocol, Proves that the President( Trump) was not in the Position to Direct or Call Back the Revolt! Therefore the Hearing’s that are Riddled with lies & speculation should End! It is So Exhausting, for the Opposing Party(Demo) has been relentless against Trump, even before He became President! This issue has been a 7 yr Nightmare for the United States! The Truth Rules!, as it always has! Victory to Common Sense & Common Ground of Understanding!
“It’s easy to forget how much of an oxymoron government competence truly is.”
Only for the willfully ignorant or forgetful.
Let’s go, Brandon! Remember in November.
What’s saddest of all is that Republicans turned down a chance for greater representation on the committee–and now complain that the only two Republicans serving are RINOs, They’ve been working both sides — not desiring greater representation while decrying the lack thereof.
With luck, this POS will turn up dead somewhere.
Why isn’t the sudden death of a “ star” witness one day before his testimony was to be given being investigated? Someone got to him because he would have blown their lies wide open!
This “investigation” has been going on since the election of 2016. It is a “a group of children” still mad because they didn’t get their way in 2016. They cannot accept that. And, to assure that Trump does not get elected to “any political position” again, they must convict him of a crime. Can you imagine how well off our country would be if they put this much effort into the job that they were elected to do….”protect and serve” this Nation. Not, fight and argue like little kids at a playground, over who can play with the ball. They use the Constitution when it helps them and ignore it when it interferes with what they want to accomplish for “their good and well-being” causes. They talk about “division in our country” but do not accept any responsibly for any of their actions that have caused some of this division. I suspect that all of the mirrors have been removed in the Capital and Congress, because if anyone of them wanted to know the cause for some of this division all they would have to do is in a mirror. But, I guess the “clown show” must go on…..the World is enjoying the show…..Popcorn, anyone ???!