Former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson has defended the anecdotes she shared during her recent testimony to the House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection. In her first TV interview since testifying on Capitol Hill, Hutchinson spoke with “CBS Sunday Morning” and questioned why she would have anything to gain by coming forward. She emphasized that it would have been easier for her to continue being complicit and stay in her comfort zone.
During her testimony, Hutchinson revealed that an attorney she initially worked with, who had been provided through Trump’s political connections and money, had encouraged her to provide less information to House investigators. Despite initially answering several questions with “I don’t know” or “I don’t recall,” Hutchinson stated that she clearly remembered the information she shared.
Hutchinson’s testimony also indicated that Trump was aware of the potential for violence on January 6, 2021, but continued to rally his supporters. She also testified that she had heard a secondhand account of Trump attempting to lunge at his Secret Service detail for blocking him from going to the Capitol on that day.
However, Secret Service agent Bobby Engel and then-White House deputy chief of staff Tony Ornato, whom Hutchinson claimed witnessed the incident or had heard the story, have both said they don’t remember it. Despite this, Hutchinson stands by her account and acknowledges that Engel and Ornato may simply not recall the incident.
CNN’s Jake Tapper will be conducting an interview with Hutchinson, which will air on “The Lead” on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. These public appearances by Hutchinson precede the release of her upcoming book, titled “Enough.”
In an excerpt from the book reported by The Guardian and confirmed by CNN, Hutchinson alleges that Rudy Giuliani groped her on January 6, 2021, backstage during a rally before the US Capitol attack. Giuliani’s political adviser has called the claim a “disgusting lie.” However, Hutchinson and her publisher stand by her story.
Since coming forward as a witness against Trump, Hutchinson has cautiously resumed limited public appearances due to security concerns. She has found inspiration in Alexander Butterfield’s testimony during the Watergate hearings and credits him with showing her that there is life beyond her current situation.
Throughout the aftermath of her testimony, Hutchinson has defended her statements from pushback by Trump allies. She has also cooperated with Georgia prosecutors who are investigating Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election in the state. This investigation is one of the four cases in which the former president has been indicted.
Looking ahead to the 2024 election, Hutchinson made it clear that she would not vote for Donald Trump, stating that she believes he is dangerous for the country.