Cassidy Hutchinson was a special assistant to the Trump White House. She told the committee that Meadows had raised concerns before the riot, but it wasn’t clear what Meadows did.
Hutchinson stated, possibly referring to Anthony Ornato (a senior Secret Service official): “I just recall Mr. Ornato coming into and saying that we had intelligence reports saying there could be violence on June 6th.” “And Mr. Meadows replied: ‘All right. Let’s discuss it.
Friday’s filing also confirmed that certain Republican members of Congress were involved in White House discussions regarding overturning the election during the months leading up to the insurrection.
Hutchinson relates several conversations involving Meadows, members of the far right House Freedom Caucus in the late November and early decembrie. Participants discussed what Vice President Mike Pence could do on January 6 in addition to the ceremonial role that he was required.
Hutchinson claims that representatives of Trump’s legal team were on the calls. They included Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis, and Sidney Powell. Also, Scott Perry and Reps. Jim Jordan.
This is the response to a lawsuit Meadows filed in Washington’s federal courts in December against the committee, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Meadows was suing to have two subpoenas from the committee thrown out. The lawsuit claimed that they were too broad and burdensome. The lawsuit also accused the committee of being too broad in issuing a subpoena for Verizon to obtain Meadows’ cell phone records.
The House’s select committee quickly sent Meadows a contempt-of-Congress charge to the House. It passed almost on a party-line vote. This was the first time since 1830s that the chamber had voted in contempt to hold an ex-member of the chamber.
Although an earlier contempt referral against Steve Bannon, former Trump adviser, resulted in an arrest, the Justice Department took longer to decide whether Meadows should be prosecuted.
Meadows’ criminal case is more complicated than Bannon’s because Meadows had cooperated with the committee and even provided documents to the nine-member panel.
George Terwilliger (the attorney for Meadows) has previously defended his client, noting that Meadows was willing to give records and therefore he shouldn’t be forced to appear in an interview. Terwilliger didn’t immediately respond to an email Friday night requesting comment.
