House Republicans have released a report that challenges the claims made by a former Trump aide regarding former President Trump’s involvement in the events of January 6, 2021. The report, authored by Georgia Republican Rep. Barry Loudermilk, criticizes the House Democrats’ failure to investigate the security failures of that day. It accuses the Select Committee of promoting a political narrative, refusing to include minority members chosen by the minority, and hiring Hollywood producers to assist with their hearings. The report also highlights testimony from four former White House employees that contradicts the claims made by the former Trump aide, Cassidy Hutchinson.
Hutchinson, who worked as an aide to Mark Meadows, claimed that Trump became “irate” on January 6 and attempted to join supporters at the Capitol before they breached the building. However, the report reveals that Hutchinson’s testimony was refuted by Anthony Ornato, a former White House deputy chief of staff, and a Secret Service agent who was driving the vehicle. According to the report, Ornato testified that he had never told Hutchinson the story she claimed to have heard. The driver of the vehicle also stated that Trump never grabbed the steering wheel.
Loudermilk’s report further accuses the Jan. 6 committee of deleting records and hiring “Hollywood producers” to promote a political narrative. The committee was established in July 2021 to investigate the breach of the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters. However, the report argues that the committee’s investigation was biased and aimed at criminalizing Trump’s involvement.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, the former chair of the committee, and Liz Cheney, the former vice chair, criticized Loudermilk’s report, with Thompson calling it dishonest and Cheney accusing Loudermilk of deflecting from Trump’s responsibility for the events of January 6. Hutchinson’s attorney also defended her as an honest witness who bravely came forward to speak with the committee.
In addition to the report, Loudermilk released a separate testimony transcript from Ornato that allegedly shows the Trump administration’s effort to ensure adequate protection for the city ahead of January 6. This testimony contradicts the committee’s claim that there was no evidence of the Trump White House requesting National Guard assistance.
Loudermilk emphasized that the release of the report is just the beginning of his committee’s investigation and that the American people deserve the truth about what happened on January 6 without political bias.
