Jan 6 hearings: Trump’s legacy - ‘I’m the fucking president’

The most explosive testimony, so far, came from Cassidy Hutchinson on day six. She provided us with a unique insight into the extraordinary two hours on Capitol Hill. 

Here are the critical points. 

There were warnings of violence – ‘things might get real bad’ 

Cassidy Hutchinson said that in December 2020, a month after the election, the director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, told her Trump’s refusal to accept defeat by Joe Biden “could spiral out of control and be dangerous for our democracy.” 

Just four days before the results would be certified, Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani told Hutchinson: “The 6th is going to be a great day … we’re going to the Capitol. It’s going to be great. The president is going to be there. He’s going to look powerful.”

Meadows then told Hutchinson: “Things might get real, real bad on January 6.”

Trump knew and didn’t care protesters were armed  – ‘not here to hurt me’ 

Recordings were played from January 6 of law enforcement reporting the protesters being armed with AR-15 rifles and pistols. Trump – waiting to speak at a rally near the White House – Trump was told protesters had bear spray and flags to use as spears and some wore body armour. 

Trump demanded such people be let past security measures to stand in the front of his stage because they weren’t going to hurt him.

Trump said: “I don’t fucking care that they have weapons, they’re not here to hurt me. They’re not here to hurt me. Take the fucking mags [magnetometers] away. Let my people in. They can march to the Capitol from here, let the people in and take the mags away.”

He then told that crowd, who he knew some were armed, to march on the Capitol and said he’d go with them.

‘I’m the fucking president’ – Trump threatened his security chief  

According to Cassidy Hutchinson, Tony Ornato, a secret service official and deputy chief of staff, told her that when Trump was in his vehicle after his speech, he was told he could not go to the Capitol. 

Trump had “a very strong, very angry response to that … something to the effect of, ‘I’m the fucking president. Take me up to the Capitol now.’ To which Bobby [Engel, chief of Trump’s secret service detail] responded, ‘Sir, you have to go back to the West Wing.’

Trump then “reached up towards the front of the vehicle to grab at the steering wheel. Mr Engel grabbed his arm, and said, ‘Sir, you need to take your hand off the steering wheel. We’re going back to the West Wing. We’re not going to the Capitol.’ Mr Trump then used his free hand to lunge towards Bobby Engel and when Mr Ornato recounted the story to me he motioned towards his clavicles.”

Trump’s reported fury at other moments was discussed during the committee, including when Bill Barr told the AP there was no widespread election fraud. Trump “had thrown his lunch against the wall.” Hutchinson said, also describing how she helped the president’s valet mop up the spilt ketchup.

Chief of Staff Mark Meadows wouldn’t stop looking at his phone

Hutchinson recalled how the chief of staff Mark Meadows wouldn’t look up from his phone when being told urgent news, including on January 6. 

“I remember him being alone in his office for most of the afternoon,” she said. “Around 2 pm to 2.05 pm we were watching the TV and I could see that the rioters were getting closer and closer to the Capitol. Mark still hadn’t popped out of his office or said anything about it.”

Meadows was “sitting on his couch on his cellphone, same as the morning where he was just kind of scrolling and typing. I said, ‘Hey, are you watching the TV, Chief? … I didn’t know if he was really paying attention. He was like, ‘Yeah.’ [I said] ‘The rioters are getting really close, so if you talk to the president …’ He said, ‘No, he wants to be alone right now.’

“Still looking at his phone. So I started to get frustrated.”

Meadows wanted to go to Bannon’s ‘war room’ 

On 5 January, Hutchinson said she stopped Mark Meadows from attending a meeting held by Giuliani, Steve Bannon, law professor John Eastman and other pro-Trump extremists.

Meadows, she said, “wanted me to work with secret service on a movement from the White House to the Willard Hotel so he could attend the meeting with Mr Giuliani and his associates in the ‘war room’.

“I made it clear to Mr Meadows that I didn’t believe it was a smart idea … I knew enough about what Mr Giuliani and his associates were pushing that I didn’t think that it was something appropriate for the White House chief of staff to attend or to consider involvement.”

Meadows “mentioned a few more times going up the Willard that evening, then eventually … said he would dial in instead”.

Trump believed Mike Pence deserved to hang 

The day six hearing also heard Hutchinson describe Donald Trump’s response to the mob calling for Mike Pence to be hanged. 

She said: “I remember Pat [Cipollone, the White House counsel] saying something to the effect of, ‘Mark, we need to do something more. They’re literally calling for the vice-president to be fucking hung.’

“And Mark had responded something to the effect of, ‘You heard him, Pat, he thinks Mike deserves it. He doesn’t think they’re doing anything wrong.’

“To which Pat said something like, “This is fucking crazy. We need to be doing something more.”

Presidential pardons were sought after speech 

When Trump finally called for the mob to leave the Capitol, Meadows pushed for a promise of presidential pardons. Hutchinson confirmed when asked if Giuliani and Meadows sought their own pardons related to January 6, that they did. 

Trump’s team pressured witnesses – ‘Stay in Trump’s good graces’ 

The Guardian says the committee vice-chair, Liz Cheney “save one of the most chilling revelations for her closing statement.” She said the committee had asked witnesses if those in Trump’s inner circles had attempted to influence testimony. 

“One witness described phone calls from people interested in that witness’s testimony. ‘Well, what they said to me is, as long as I continue to be a team player, they know I’m on the right team, I’m doing the right thing, I’m protecting who I need to protect, I’ll continue to stay in good graces in Trump world. They reminded me a couple of times that Trump does read transcripts, and just keep that in mind.’”

Another witness reported a call in which they were told Trump “wants me to let you know he’s thinking about you. You know, you’re loyal. And you’re going to do the right thing when you go in for your deposition.” 

Debate continues about whether Trump will be charged with criminal conduct. 

Cheney said: “I think most Americans know that attempting to influence witnesses to testify untruthfully presents very serious concerns. We will be discussing these issues as a committee and carefully considering our next steps.”