Cassidy Hutchinson’s Jan. 6 testimony: grand jury declines to indict Trump critic, leaving prosecutors’ focus unclear
Grand jury rejects indictment effort
Four sources briefed on the grand jury proceedings said federal prosecutors failed to obtain an indictment against Hutchinson. The Washington Post was first to report that jurors declined to indict her.
The case concerned Hutchinson’s testimony related to the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. CBS News said it could not establish exactly what parts of her statements were under prosecutorial scrutiny.
Warnings and rally preparations
In congressional testimony and depositions, Hutchinson said Trump and Meadows received warnings on Jan. 6 that some supporters were bringing weapons to the Capitol. She testified that Trump said he did not care.
Hutchinson also said Trump sought to have officials remove magnetometers at the rally where he spoke that morning. The reporting does not specify whether prosecutors focused on these claims.
Accounts differ over car incident
Hutchinson testified that Ornato had told her Trump lunged toward the steering wheel while in a car. Trump’s driver later disputed that description in sworn testimony, saying the president had not tried to grab the wheel.
Media reports said House Republican allies of the president referred the matter to the Justice Department. The sources did not identify which testimony prompted the prosecutors’ effort.
Key points
- A grand jury declined to indict Cassidy Hutchinson over testimony related to Jan. 6, 2021.
- Four people briefed on the proceedings said federal prosecutors did not secure an indictment.
- Hutchinson described warnings about weapons and an alleged steering-wheel incident.
- Trump’s driver disputed the steering-wheel account in sworn testimony.