Politics

Trump's Chief of Staff was Allegedly Warned of Possible Jan. 6 Violence

APR 23 2022·Updated DEC 21 2022

Story

Image credit: AP Photo [via Fox News]

The Facts

Cassidy Hutchinson, who served as a special assistant in the Trump White House, told the Jan. 6 Committee that former WH Chief of Staff Mark Meadows was aware that violence could occur at the Capitol, according to a new court filing.
New York Post
Meadows was allegedly given intelligence reports and warned by Anthony Ornato, a senior Secret Service official, about concerns the protests could turn violent.
Independent
Hutchinson also claimed that Meadows met with at least 10 lawmakers, mostly members of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus, on Dec. 21, 2020 to discuss efforts to overturn the election.
Axios
Hutchinson did, however, clarify that she didn't know what information was given to Meadows or how it was used afterward.
FOX News
The filing came in response to a lawsuit Meadows brought in Dec. against the Committee and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
CBS News
Meadows has refused to be interviewed by the Committee and denied any responsibility to testify. However, he previously turned over relevant documents to the Committee and has made significant public statements, including publishing a book about his time as Chief of Staff.
nytimes

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Democratic narrative

Meadows clearly colluded with other senior Republicans in plotting the attempted coup at the Capitol. Meadow's intransigent behavior toward the Committee makes it quite apparent that he's aware of his guilt and wants to avoid the consequences.

Daily Kos

Pro-Trump narrative

Meadows has complied with the Committee's requests for relevant documents and is under no obligation to be interviewed. Meadows hasn't been linked to the Jan 6. riot by any of the hundreds of DOJ cases against its participants, making the accusations against him ludicrous.