He took two days, but the attack on Cassidy Hutchinson (26) was all the harder.
The woman is a “crazy” and lives in a “fantasy world,” said former US President Donald Trump (75) on Thursday (local time) on the right-wing populist TV channel Newsmax. “She has serious problems, I will put it that way, mental problems.”
Cassidy Hutchinson, 26, caused a stir on Tuesday with an impressive testimony before the investigative committee on the Capitol attack.
The young woman testified under oath that Trump was aware in advance of possible violence on January 6, 2021. According to Hutchinson, Trump knew about guns in the audience before his speech to his supporters. “Take away those damn metal detectors. You are not here to hurt me. let her in Let my people in, they can march to the Capitol after the rally,” Hutchinson quoted Trump as saying.
She claimed to have heard these words from him shortly before his speech.
Cassidy Hutchinson (26) in her testimony on TuesdayPhoto: Jacquelyn Martin/dpa
She also described various scenes that she said she had witnessed at the White House and recited conversations she said she had overheard. Republicans and Trump, on the other hand, accuse her of only having second-hand information. Trump repeatedly emphasized that he hardly knew Hutchinson.
This worked as an assistant in the White House for his Vice, Mark Meadows.
Trump is particularly taking action against the part of the statement that Hutchinson actually only described, citing a conversation with a colleague.
A Secret Service official in charge told her immediately after the incident, Hutchinson said, that Trump had tried to grab the driver’s steering wheel in the armored SUV.
He is said to have said: “I’m the damn president, take me to the Capitol.” The bodyguard grabbed his arm to keep him away from the steering wheel. Trump used his free arm to fight back.
Trump supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021Photo: Essdras M. Suarez/dpa
Several media reported on unnamed sources that the two responsible Secret Service officials would also reject the allegation. However, neither of them has commented publicly on the matter.
On January 6, 2021, Trump supporters violently stormed the seat of parliament in the capital Washington. Congress met there to certify the victory of Trump’s Democratic challenger Joe Biden in the previous presidential election.
Five people were killed in the riots, including a police officer. Trump had recently claimed to his supporters that his election victory had been stolen. A statement for which there is no reliable evidence, either then or now. The committee is working on the attack, in particular Trump’s role.