DOJ Eyes Charges Against January 6 Witness Cassidy Hutchinson

Federal investigators are scrutinizing testimony Hutchinson provided to the House select committee, specifically her claims that Donald Trump attempted to seize the steering wheel of his SUV to join rioters at the Capitol. While Hutchinson testified she heard this account from then-White House deputy chief of staff Anthony Ornato, Ornato has since disputed the recollection, and Secret Service agents involved have denied the event occurred.

Beyond the SUV incident, Hutchinson alleged that Trump sought to remove metal detectors at his rally despite knowing attendees were armed, remarking that supporters were not there to hurt him. She further claimed that Mark Meadows, then-White House chief of staff, suggested Trump believed Mike Pence deserved the threats leveled against him by rioters.

While a spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to confirm the existence of an active probe, reports indicate the investigation is being handled by the Civil Rights Division. Legal observers have noted the unusual nature of this assignment, as such cases typically fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Critics of the potential prosecution characterize the move as an attempt to target political opponents, drawing parallels to previous DOJ efforts involving James Comey and Letitia James that were dismissed in court.