White House aide testifies to Jan. 6 committee

Cassidy Hutchinson, an aide to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, told a House committee investigating the U.S. Capitol riot that President Donald Trump wanted to join protesters on Jan. 6, 2021. But the Secret Service said it wasn’t safe and refused. She said someone inside the president’s vehicle that day told her Trump had a brief altercation with the head of his security detail, Bobby Engel. Hutchinson also testified that she was told Trump wanted the Secret Service to allow people with weapons into his rally near the White House earlier in the day.

Can anyone corroborate her testimony? Engel has reportedly testified privately to the Jan. 6 committee, but his statements have not been made public. The Secret Service released a statement saying it was willing to respond on the record to the committee about Hutchinson’s testimony. Former President Trump disputed the account, calling it a “fake story.” He added that it “wouldn’t even have been possible to do such a ridiculous thing.” Hutchinson’s attorney, Jody Hunt, tweeted Tuesday that “Ms. Hutchinson testified, under oath, and recounted what she was told. Those with knowledge of the episode also should testify under oath.”

Dig deeper: Listen to Kent Covington summarize some of the problems with the Jan. 6 hearings on The World and Everything in It podcast.