DOJ seeks indictment of ex-Trump aide Cassidy Hutchinson over Jan. 6 testimony
In short
The US Justice Department is seeking a criminal indictment of former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson on allegations that she lied to Congress in testimony about the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, outlets reported citing sources familiar with the matter. A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., has heard evidence in the probe, which is being handled by the department's Civil Rights Division. A department spokesperson said it does not confirm or deny the existence of investigations.
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The US Justice Department is seeking a criminal indictment of Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide, for lying to Congress, Bloomberg and The Guardian reported, each citing a person familiar with the matter. Federal prosecutors have been presenting evidence to a grand jury in Washington, D.C., on whether Hutchinson may have lied in her testimony related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, CBS News reported, citing two sources. The New York Post reported that a federal grand jury was empaneled earlier this week. Fox News reported that additional evidence could be presented as soon as next week, but its source said no final decisions have been made about whether the matter will result in criminal charges. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 ]
The effort was first reported by Punchbowl News, which also reported that Hutchinson has not been subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury. Newsweek, citing Punchbowl, said prosecutors are expected to call additional witnesses later this month. "The department does not confirm or deny the existence of investigations, or the lack thereof," a Justice Department spokesperson said, according to The Guardian. CBS News and Newsweek said they had reached out to Hutchinson's counsel for comment. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
In what CBS News called an unusual move, the case is being handled by the department's Civil Rights Division and not the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington. The Guardian said the New York Times reported in April that Civil Rights Division prosecutors had been tapped to investigate Hutchinson, and that Hutchinson herself said in filings in an unrelated case that she was under investigation. CBS News said that, according to media reports, Republican allies in the House made the referral. The New York Post, CBS News and Fox News said it is unclear which parts of her testimony are under scrutiny. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 7 ]
Hutchinson, a former aide to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, testified in 2022 before the House committee that investigated the Capitol attack. At a televised hearing in June 2022, she relayed an account she said she was told by then-deputy chief of staff Tony Ornato that Trump lunged at the steering wheel of his SUV after being told he could not go to the Capitol. She also said Trump and Meadows had been warned that some supporters were carrying weapons, CBS News reported. Trump's driver said in testimony that the president never tried to grab the steering wheel, and the New York Post reported that Ornato also disputed her account. The Guardian said Republicans have long disputed it. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 7 ]
The New York Post reported that special counsel Jack Smith testified to a House panel last December that Hutchinson provided only "secondhand hearsay." The Guardian described the case as the latest example of how Trump has used the Justice Department to prosecute his enemies, citing indictments of former FBI director James Comey and Letitia James that were dismissed after a judge ruled the prosecutor overseeing them had been unlawfully appointed. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
Hutchinson was a key witness before the House committee that investigated the Capitol attack, and Republicans have long disputed parts of her account. The Guardian described the case as the latest example of Trump using the Justice Department against his enemies, while Fox News noted that grand jury proceedings do not necessarily result in criminal charges.
Key facts
- The Justice Department is seeking a criminal indictment of Cassidy Hutchinson for lying to Congress, according to a person familiar with the matter. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., has heard evidence on whether Hutchinson made false statements in her Jan. 6 testimony. [ 5 , 7 ]
- The investigation is being handled by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division rather than the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
- Punchbowl News first reported the effort and said Hutchinson has not been subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- It is unclear which parts of Hutchinson's testimony are under scrutiny. [ 1 , 5 , 7 ]
- Hutchinson, a former aide to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, testified in 2022 that she was told Trump lunged at the steering wheel of his SUV on Jan. 6. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 7 ]
- A Justice Department spokesperson said the department does not confirm or deny the existence of investigations. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Justice Department is seeking criminal charges against Hutchinson over allegedly lying to Congress. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., has heard evidence about Hutchinson's testimony. [ 5 , 7 ]
- The Civil Rights Division is handling the investigation. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
- Punchbowl News first reported the effort. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- According to Punchbowl News, Hutchinson has not been subpoenaed. [ 1 , 4 ]
- Trump's driver contradicted Hutchinson's account that Trump grabbed or lunged at the steering wheel. [ 1 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- Which parts of Hutchinson's testimony prosecutors are examining. The New York Post, CBS News and Fox News all said this could not be determined.
- Whether charges will be brought. The Guardian and Bloomberg reported that prosecutors are seeking charges, while Fox News' source said no final decisions have been made.
- Who referred the matter to the Justice Department. CBS News attributed the claim that House Republican allies made the referral to media reports.
- When further evidence or witnesses will be presented. Fox News' source said additional evidence could come as soon as next week; Punchbowl News, as cited by Newsweek, said additional witnesses are expected later this month.
- The Justice Department's position on the investigation. A department spokesperson said it does not confirm or deny the existence of investigations.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The New York Post reports that a federal grand jury was empaneled this week to hear evidence on Hutchinson's alleged false statements. [ 1 ]
- The Guardian reports prosecutors are seeking charges and quotes a Justice Department spokesperson declining to confirm or deny investigations. [ 2 ]
- Bloomberg reports the Justice Department is seeking a criminal indictment of Hutchinson. [ 3 ]
- CBS News, citing two sources, reports prosecutors have been presenting evidence to a grand jury in Washington, D.C. [ 5 ]
- Fox News reports the grand jury has heard evidence and that no final decisions on charges have been made. [ 7 ]