The claims made by a former White House employee that former president Donald Trump attempted to take the wheel of his SUV on the day of the January 6 Capitol riot have been refuted by a Secret Service agent.
They asserted that Trump’s “girth” and his 250 lb, 6 ft 3 in. frame would probably preclude him from doing such a “agile” maneuver in a specially modified SUV that includes a wall between the front and back seats.
Trump is hardly a small-timer, right? And there isn’t much room to actually leap toward the wheel,’ a former agent told Insider.
I don’t want to seem like I’m criticizing the former president, but even his size would keep him from actually reaching the wheel.
He is not the most flexible person.
The completely armored SUV has more security features than a standard Suburban and is not like a regular Suburban.
The agent said that the barrier makes the area “very tight.”
Trump allegedly went for the presidential limousine’s wheel on Tuesday after Special Agent in Charge Robert “Bobby” Engel refused to take him to the Capitol to join his irate fans, according to former White House assistant Cassidy Hutchinson, who testified before the House Select Committee.
Her shocking statement created the opportunity for MPs to summon back Engel and inquire as to whether he truly had to hold the president after the latter allegedly retaliated by grasping Engel by the neck.
According to Anthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokeswoman, “We have made and will continue to make any member of the Secret Service available to the committee.”
Hutchinson asserted that Engel was there when she was informed about the event by Tony Ornato, who was serving as the White House’s deputy chief of staff for operations at the time.
The president grabbed the steering wheel by reaching up toward the front of the car.
“Sir, you need to remove your hand off the wheel, we’re going back to the West Wing, we’re not heading to the Capitol,” Mr. Engel commanded, grabbing hold of his arm.
Then, Mr. Trump lunged at Bobby Engel with his free hand,’ Hutchinson testified.
The former president refuted Hutchinson’s assertion that he “lunged” for the limo’s steering wheel in an interview with Newsmax on Thursday.
Because he doesn’t lift 350 pounds, Trump clearly stated that he couldn’t have attacked an agent.
Trump disparaged Hutchinson as a “climber” who had been turned down for a position in the Trump Organization and asserted without justification that the committee as a whole is ‘illegal.’ .
When Trump expressed a wish to go to the Capitol, Agent Engel, who had previously testified before the committee, explained that there had been a disagreement and that they had returned to the White House as a result.
Former Secret Service deputy assistant director Bill Pickle observed, “There’s just too much gray area to stake the farm on it.
“Am I denying that it took place? We all know this guy can be quite emotional, so I won’t say that.
The president is not a contortionist, he said, “and you have to slightly be a contortionist to get from the back cabin to the front cabin.”
In an emergency, agents are trained to take the appropriate action.
“It’s absurd.” It’s not a nice sight, I mean.
Surely it’s not impossible.
I just don’t think this administration will ever be able to accomplish it. Ever.’
Hutchinson said on Tuesday that Trump was “furious” that his followers could not enter the official grounds for his Stop The Steal rally before the incident because he knew they were armed on that particular day.
She reported hearing Trump say, “Who cares if they have weapons, they’re not here to hurt me.
“He had been informed that participants in the armed rally were being prevented from entering the area because they were unable to pass the security checkpoint.
Trump, she claimed, complained because it made the gathering appear smaller.
On Thursday morning, the former president refuted her testimony, claiming that the audience was among the biggest he had ever addressed and that he “didn’t want other people to get wounded.”
“This lady yesterday—up something’s with her,” I said. Is something not right? remarked the previous president.
I started strangling a Secret Service member who I know well, she claimed, after I leaped from a car.
And that I wanted guns at my rally, he continued? I didn’t want weapons.
I have to speak as well, and I oppose the use of weapons by anyone.
“The woman is a fantasy,” someone once said. If you can call her a social climber at all. Trump replied, “I just think it’s a terrible that this is happening to our country.
Trump noted that former deputy chief of staff Anthony Ornato, who Hutchinson claimed told her the limo story, and Robert Engel, who served as Trump’s director of security and whom he allegedly lunged at, are apparently ready to contest some or all of her claims.
He stated Hutchinson’s testimony had left them feeling “embarrassed.”
They are wonderful folks, these people. They are wonderful individuals.
They have given their entire lives to it.
And because it makes them sound horrible, I believe they were quite humiliated by it, Trump added.
They’re fantastic. They are people I know well.
It was “really wonderful” that they stood up for him, he continued.
The Secret Service has also informed numerous media outlets that it intends to address the accusations.
You know how some whackjob can just say crap like this and get away with it, right?
Trump continued before bringing up his earlier claim regarding guns.
Additionally, I wanted weapons at my rally, among other things.
I’ll start by asking why I would want guns. I don’t want anyone carrying a gun and attending my rally.
Despite describing to the committee her efforts to stop Trump from marching on the Capitol, he claimed Hutchinson ‘wasn’t complaining’ at the time.
And this woman wanted to work with me after January 6, which was another aspect of her. She adored Donald Trump.
Because I received really nasty things, we decided not to bring her down even though she wanted to work for me in Florida,’ Trump said.
Trump claimed that “many people” informed him that Hutchinson was “not good,” but he made no further explanations.
Let me phrase it this way: “I think the woman is — she has severe difficulties.” mental health issues.
In a portion of an interview with ABC News that aired on Thursday, Rep. Liz Cheney, vice chair of the committee on January 6, stated that she was “totally confident” in Hutchinson.
Cheney stated, “I believe Cassidy Hutchinson’s actions were an extraordinary display of bravery, fortitude, and patriotism in the face of genuine pressure.”
During the explosive hearing on Tuesday, Cheney made the claim that the panel had proof of Trump and his allies’ attempts to pressure witnesses.
Our committee often queries witnesses with ties to Mr. Trump’s administration or campaign about any attempts to sway or influence their testimony, according to Cheney.
Then she showed us two messages.
The first claim was made by an unidentified witness who claimed they were assured that they will continue to enjoy favor in Trump World “as long as I continue to be a team player.”
Additionally, they claimed that while they “proceeded through my depositions and conversations with the committee,” they were instructed to “bear in mind” the fact that Trump “does read transcripts.”
The second message reads: “He wants me to let you know that he’s thinking about you,” and it appears to have been sent to a witness the day before their deposition.
He is aware of your devotion and you’re going to do the right thing…’.