Hutchinson testified for nearly two hours on Tuesday, as well as recorded pre-hearing testimonies, vividly describing her experience at the White House near Meadows and then-President Donald Trump in the days leading up to the Capitol riots. Hutchinson described how Trump and Meadows had been repeatedly warned in advance and on the day of the attack of the possibility of violence, including by gunmen at the rally. While Secret Service officials as well as those close to Trump did not dispute the overall nature of Hutchinson’s testimony, some disprove specific allegations and descriptions. Contrary to Hutchinson’s testimony, the limited denials were not sworn in. Hutchinson testified that she was told that when Trump was informed by security that he would not be going to the Capitol on January 6, 2021, he fell on the front of his vehicle and tried to turn the wheel with one hand while using his other hand. to “hit” Robert Engel, the Secret Service agent in charge that day. Hutchinson testified that she was told the story by Tony Ornato, then White House Deputy Chief of Staff, and that Engel was there as she told the story. After the hearing, a Secret Service official familiar with the matter told CNN that Ornato denied that he had told Hutchinson that the former president had snatched the steering wheel or an agent in his possession. Ornato is known to have a strong connection to Trump and his team, as he was given an unusual resignation to suspend his time in the US Secret Service to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff. Engel had previously testified before the commission and described his interactions with Trump on Jan. 6, including the former president’s desire to travel to the Capitol, but Engel was not asked about a fight or attack, the official said. The Secret Service, through the Office of Homeland Security, informed the commission Tuesday afternoon that it would make the agents available available to testify under oath, the official said, and that agents were ready to swear that the incident described did not happen. This story has been updated with additional developments on Wednesday.
