DoJ seeks to charge ex-Trump aide who gave key testimony on January 6 attack

Investigation announced

Prosecutors in the Justice Department’s civil rights division are pursuing criminal charges against Cassidy Hutchinson, a former top aide to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, for alleged false statements to Congress. The potential charges involve lying to Congress, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Background of the testimony

Hutchinson testified before the committee investigating the U.S. Capitol attack in June 2022. She claimed that the deputy chief of staff for operations told her that former President Donald Trump did not want to return to the White House on January 6 and that Trump grabbed the wheel of his SUV to try to join supporters at the Capitol. Republicans have disputed this account.

Unusual handling of the case

The civil rights division, which normally handles civil rights crimes, was tapped to investigate Hutchinson, a departure from the usual practice of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. The Department of Justice has not confirmed or denied the existence of the investigation.

Context of past indictments

The case follows a series of indictments by the Justice Department against former FBI director James Comey and former New York Attorney General Letitia James, both of which were dismissed after judges ruled the prosecutors had been unlawfully appointed. The Department has also filed charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center and journalist Don Lemon.

Current status

Hutchinson is also reportedly under investigation by the Department of Justice in an unrelated case. The Department has not released further details about the potential indictment.