Election 2020
Former Secret Service Agent Says Trump Couldn’t Grab Steering Wheel Because He’s Too Fat
So, now that Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony has rocked the January 6 commission, some Secret Service agents are questioning parts of her story regarding what happened during the attack on the U.S. Capitol building. Specifically, they are questioning her recounting of Trump’s alleged attempt to grab the steering wheel of his SUV in an attempt to head to the Capitol after concluding his speech at the “Stop The Steal” rally in the Ellipse, Business Insider reports.
As Hutchinson talked to the panel, she noted Trump would have to slip an arm through an “extremely tight place” in order to grab the steering wheel of the SUV and lunge at a Secret Service agent. This of course means that Trump and his minions and a few unnamed Secret Service agents are trying to throw water on her testimony.
But Hutchinson’s testimony was powerful, and these attempts by Trump & Co. are beginning to resemble a good, old-fashioned smear campaign against a vulnerable young woman who did exactly as she was asked to do — testify before the committee. And so far, as noted by The Los Angeles Times, none of these doubters have testified under oath.
One of those unnamed agents has however spoken to Business Insider, apparently on condition of remaining anonymous.
“Trump’s not a little guy, right? And the space to actually be able to lunge towards the wheel is not that big,” the former agent said. “I don’t mean to sound disparaging to the former president, but just his girth would prevent him from actually getting to the steering wheel.”
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While all of Hutchinson’s testimony was stunning, her recounting of Trump’s alleged attempt to grab the steering wheel is the one that has really galvanized the committee. She told the panel the incident unfolded when Bobby Engel, the special agent in charge of Trump’s security prevented the then-president from joining his supporters as the Capitol riot began. Then she detailed the description of the events that she’d heard, almost as soon as they happened, from Tony Ornato, who was then the White House deputy chief of staff for operations. Engel was also in the room at the time.
“The president reached up towards the front of the vehicle to grab at the steering wheel,” she said. “Mr. Engel grabbed his arm, said ‘Sir you need to take your hand off the steering wheel, we’re going back to the West Wing, we’re not going to the Capitol. Mr. Trump then used his free hand to lunge towards Bobby Engel,” Hutchinson said.
She added that Ornato “motioned towards his clavicles” in retelling the story.
Earlier this month, according to Politico, Engel told the committee there was a disagreement over Trump’s wishes to go to the Capitol and that they went to the White House instead.
And now, another anonymous official with the Secret Service has told CNN that Ornato denies telling Hutchinson that the former president grabbed either the steering wheel or the agent.
So…she just pulled this out of the air? Doesn’t that seem pretty ridiculous? We all know what happened to Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen when he lied to Congress.
Trump, as usual, went ballistic after Hutchinson’s testimony.
“The lies and fabricated stories being told to the partisan Highly Unselect Committee, not only by the phony social climber who got caught yesterday, but by many others, are a disgrace to our, in serious decline Nation,” Trump griped on his social media platform Truth Social Wednesday morning. “No cross examination, no real Republicans, no lawyers, NO NOTHING. Fake stories and an all Fake Narrative being produced, with ZERO pushback allowed. Unselects should be forced to disband. WITCH HUNT!”
Fortunately, people are coming to Hutchinson’s defense. This includes Jody Hunt, a former assistant attorney general under Trump. He is now working as Hutchinson’s legal counsel and calling on others well acquainted with her testimony to come forward and testify under oath.
Ms. Hutchinson testified, under oath, and recounted what she was told,” Hunt posted on Twitter. “Those with knowledge of the episode also should testify under oath.”
Ms. Hutchinson testified, under oath, and recounted what she was told. Those with knowledge of the episode also should testify under oath. https://t.co/F69nuMH5oy
— Jody Hunt (@realJodyHunt) June 28, 2022
Other Trump White House officials are coming forward and pushing her critics to testify under oath. This includes Alyssa Farah Griffin, Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary, and White House strategic communications director. Griffin considers Hutchinson “a friend.”
“To anyone who would try to impugn her character, I’d be glad to put you in touch w/ @January6thCmte to appear UNDER OATH,” she tweeted.
Cassidy Hutchinson is my friend. I knew her testimony would be damning. I had no idea it’d be THIS damning.
I am so grateful for her courage & integrity.
To anyone who would try to impugn her character, I’d be glad to put you in touch w/ @January6thCmte to appear UNDER OATH.
— Alyssa Farah Griffin 🇺🇸 (@Alyssafarah) June 28, 2022
Former deputy press secretary also counts Hutchinson as a friend:
Anyone downplaying Cassidy Hutchinson’s role or her access in the West Wing either doesn’t understand how the Trump WH worked or is attempting to discredit her because they’re scared of how damning this testimony is.
— Sarah Matthews (@SarahAMatthews1) June 28, 2022
Mick Mulvaney, Trump’s former acting White House Chief of Staff and co-chair of the committee also expressed confidence in Hutchinson but warned that Meadows, Ornato, and Engel should also get ready to testify before the committee.
My guess is that before this is over, we will be hearing testimony from Ornato, Engle, and Meadows.
This is explosive stuff. If Cassidy is making this up, they will need to say that. If she isn't they will have to corroborate.
I know her. I don't think she is lying.
— Mick Mulvaney (@MickMulvaney) June 28, 2022
So, it looks like we’re still in for plenty of controversies. All I can say is “stay tuned.
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