Department of Justice Initiates Probe into Former Trump Aide Cassidy Hutchinson
The Department of Justice has officially opened an investigation targeting Cassidy Hutchinson, a 29-year-old former White House aide who gained prominence for her testimony implicating former President Donald Trump in the events surrounding the January 6 Capitol riot. According to four sources familiar with the matter who spoke to the New York Times, the probe was initiated under the leadership of former Attorney General Pam Bondi, just weeks before her dismissal by Trump.
Background and Timing of the Investigation
The investigation into Hutchinson was reportedly launched as Bondi sought to placate Trump's desire to prosecute his political enemies, amid her struggles to secure convictions against his foes. Bondi was fired last week, partly due to these failures, and the probe represents a strategic move to shore up support for the former president. The DOJ's civil rights division, led by Trump ally Harmeet Dhillon, is overseeing the investigation, a department typically focused on issues like race, sex, age, and religious discrimination.
Criminal Referral and Allegations
Congressman Barry Loudermilk, who chairs the House Republicans' January 6 Committee, sent a criminal referral to the DOJ last month, urging an investigation into Hutchinson. He has accused her of lying to Congress during her testimony in summer 2022. Hutchinson, who served as an aide to Trump's first-term White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, alleged that Trump was aware of the potential violence from January 6 protesters but still encouraged them to march on the Capitol.
Key Testimony Details and Denials
In her testimony, Hutchinson claimed she heard secondhand accounts that Trump lunged at his Secret Service agents and attempted to grab the steering wheel of his presidential limousine to join his supporters at the Capitol on January 6. She added that when an agent rebuffed him, Trump lunged at the agent himself. However, Trump and many Republicans have denied this incident, and both sources Hutchinson cited have stated they have no recollection of the events she described.
DOJ's Stance and Future Actions
Todd Blanche, who served as Bondi's deputy and has since been appointed Attorney General, has indicated a willingness to pursue investigations into Trump's rivals. At a DOJ press conference on Tuesday, Blanche asserted that the president has 'the right' and 'the duty' to call for probes into those who have broken the law. The DOJ has not responded to requests for comment from the Daily Mail, which has also sought comment from Hutchinson's representatives.
