Former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson said Wednesday that criticism from former President Trump after testifying before a House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol had a “huge impact” on her life. He said that it had an impact on him.
“In a word, it was tremendous,” Hutchinson said Wednesday in an interview with CNN when asked about the impact of President Trump’s attack. “And I think this is something that we have to take seriously, and we have to take seriously as well, any other witnesses that come forward.”
Hutchinson, former chief of staff Mark Meadows, was the first White House aide to publicly testify before the committee in June 2022. Her testimony provided insight into President Trump’s reaction on the day of the riot.
In her testimony, she cited President Trump’s indifference to former Vice President Mike Pence’s “Follow Mike Pence” chants at the Capitol after he refused to overturn the 2020 election results. described in detail.
Hutchinson said Wednesday that she was grateful to be surrounded by a team of lawyers who “really insulated and protected” her in the wake of President Trump’s comments.
“When I left Trump’s world, I knew what I was getting into, and unfortunately I knew it because I was once part of that strategy.” she said. “I know how they attack the people they feel most threatened by, in the name of promoting Donald Trump. We will take all necessary measures to make this happen.”
She also said that while there were still “difficult points” and “tough days”, she remembered testimonies from people whose lives had been “upended” by the 2020 election.
“When we talk about Donald Trump, how completely lacking in leadership qualities he is, that speaks to the kind of person Donald Trump is. He launched an attack on the American people.” said Hutchinson.
Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for further comment.
President Trump criticized Hutchinson last month over his now-controversial testimony about the former president’s actions toward a driver on Jan. 6.
The former president asked on Truth Social if Mr. Hutchinson would be prosecuted for telling what he called a “false story” about him, claiming he “barely” knew Mr. Hutchinson.
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