From WIRED · Hugo Lowell · · 1m 30s
DOJ weighs perjury charges against Cassidy Hutchinson
Federal prosecutors are considering charging the former Trump aide who testified about January 6, citing inconsistencies in her account.
In brief
Federal prosecutors are considering charging the former Trump aide who testified about January 6, citing inconsistencies in her account. The Justice Department is weighing perjury and obstruction charges against Cassidy Hutchinson, the Trump aide whose January 6 testimony implicated the president, over alleged…
Prosecutors target Trump's accuser
Federal prosecutors are weighing perjury and obstruction charges against Cassidy Hutchinson, a former Trump aide who testified that the president encouraged supporters to march to the Capitol on January 6.
Star witness to the riot
Hutchinson testified to the committee investigating January 6, recounting that Trump encouraged his supporters to march to the Capitol even though he knew many were armed.
Prosecutors cite inconsistencies
Prosecutors focused on the fact that former special counsel Jack Smith did not corroborate much of Hutchinson's account, and the Secret Service denied any altercation in the presidential limo.
Disputed notecard claim
Prosecutors took special interest in Hutchinson's claim that she wrote a statement on a notecard for Trump to release during the riot.
High bar for perjury proof
Some Justice Department officials are skeptical about the case. Former US attorney Joyce Vance tells WIRED that to prove perjury, prosecutors must show beyond reasonable doubt that Hutchinson lied knowingly and that it materially impacted…
Referral from Republican critic
The investigation became a priority after a criminal referral by Representative Barry Loudermilk, a Georgia Republican critical of the January 6 committee.
The short version
The Justice Department is weighing perjury and obstruction charges against Cassidy Hutchinson, the Trump aide whose January 6 testimony implicated the president, over alleged inconsistencies in her account.
