In his first interview following Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony before the committee on January 6, Donald Trump called the former aide to Mark Meadows a “whackjob” with “mental problems.”
In an interview with Newsmax on Thursday, the former president refuted Hutchinson’s assertion that he “lunged” at a Secret Service agent after the agent refused to accompany his supporters to the US Capitol on the day of last year’s uprising.
Trump asserted that he was unable to attack an agent, saying bluntly, “These guys lift 350 pounds – I don’t.”
In her testimony on Tuesday, Hutchinson, a 25-year-old former aide to Trump’s former White House chief of staff, painted a picture of a lame duck leader who urged his enraged supporters to march on the Capitol as lawmakers were certifying President Joe Biden’s electoral victory.
She appeared to be at the center of a conflict over whether the former president would accompany them to the Capitol between reasonable elected officials and Trump and his allies.
Her testimony is crucial to the January 6 committee’s case that the attack on the Capitol was not an unexpected incident but rather the culmination of Trump and his allies’ “last stand” in a larger scheme to undermine US democracy and maintain their hold on power.
Hutchinson was attacked by Trump on Thursday for being a “climber” who was turned down for a position in the Trump Organization and for making the unsupported claim that the committee as a whole is “illegal.”
Hutchinson further asserted that Trump was “furious” that his supporters could not enter the official grounds for his Stop The Steal rally before the riot because he was aware that they were armed on that particular day.
She recalled 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 that it made the crowd appear smaller.
On Thursday morning, the former president refuted her account, claiming that the audience was among the biggest he had ever addressed and that he “didn’t want other people to get hurt.”
“This lady yesterday—wrong something’s with her,” I said.
Is something not right? said the former 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 unbelievable display of bravery, courage, 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 routinely 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 loyalty and commitment to doing what is right.