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According to three sources familiar with the hearing presentation, Cassidy Hutchinson, a former Trump White House employee, told the House committee on January 6 that she was contacted by someone trying to sway her testimony At the committee’s hearing on Tuesday, Wyoming Republican Rep. Liz Cheney said two witnesses—whom she did not name told the committee they had heard from individuals associated with the world of former President Donald Trump who might have been attempting to intimidate them. Hutchinson is one of those witnesses, sources say CNN. The committee showed examples of testimony from their blockbuster session on Tuesday that detailed how witnesses were urged to stay loyal to the former president and his administration by those close to him. Cheney opened the hearing by saying, “We frequently ask witnesses connected to Mr. Trump’s administration or campaign whether they have been contacted by any of their former colleagues, or anyone else, who has attempted to influence or impact their testimony.” He then played clips of the witnesses’ responses. In both instances, the committee displayed witness testimony in which it was said that the previous President was aware that they had been called by the committee and hoped they would continue to support Trump. The committee’s serious concern before the hearing was Hutchinson’s safety. They kept her identity a secret prior to the meeting in part because of that. Aides to Mark Meadows, who was the White House chief of staff at the time, frequently advised Meadows and President Trump about security risks leading up to and on the day of the march and violence on January 6, 2021, Hutchinson testified for over two hours on Tuesday in filmed closed-door testimony. During her testimony, Hutchinson also discussed Trump’s numerous attempts to visit the Capitol on January 6. Hutchinson was one of the witnesses called at the conclusion of the hearing on Tuesday, according to the Punchbowl News. The two examples the committee members gave may have represented a small portion of the material they have regarding potential witness intimidation, according to committee members. According to Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California, a committee member, the former President’s actions fit into a pattern of behaviour. Indeed, the former President has a history of attempting to intimidate or sway witnesses, according to Schiff. The select committee’s spokeswoman declined to respond to the committee’s allegations of potential witness intimidation. Cheney stated at the hearing on Tuesday that the committee has proof of a “specific behaviour that causes serious concern.” According to Cheney, one witness recalled receiving calls from others who were curious about their testimony. According to Cheney, the unidentified witness told the committee: “They told me that as long as I keep acting like a team player, they will know that I am on the right team. I’m acting ethically. I’m defending those I must defend. You know, I’ll continue to be popular in the world of Trump. They have also repeatedly reminded me that Trump does read the transcripts.” The second instance Cheney provided was a phone call a witness received that said, “Someone informed me, as quoted, “You have your deposition tomorrow.” He asks me to let you know that he is considering you. He is aware of your devotion. And when it’s time for your deposition, you’ll behave properly.” Regarding the claims of witness intimidation or influence, Cheney was questioned in an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America” that aired on Thursday. It’s a serious situation, Cheney added. “It strikes to the very core of our judicial system. Additionally, the committee will undoubtedly review it.” “It gives us a real insight into how those around the former President are operating, into the extent to which they believe they can influence the testimony of witnesses before the committee, and it’s something we take very seriously, and it’s something that people should be aware of — it’s a very serious issue, and I would imagine the Department of Justice would be very interested in and would take that very seriously as well,” she continued.
Read More »According to insiders, Hutchinson was one of the witnesses Trump’s world tried to sway.
