A new book by Cassidy Hutchinson, a former top aide to ex-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, sheds light on Donald Trump’s behavior during the January 6th Capitol riot. Hutchinson’s book, titled “Enough,” reveals that Trump repeated the chant of wanting to “hang” former Vice President Mike Pence while watching the events of that day unfold on television.
Hutchinson, who had previously provided crucial testimony to the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol attack, shared her insights in her book. She disclosed that Trump was aware that some of his supporters were armed on January 6th but still urged them to march to the Capitol. Furthermore, she claimed that Trump appeared unconcerned about his supporters chanting “hang Mike Pence” during the riot.
Before the attack on the Capitol by his supporters, Trump had repeatedly and falsely suggested that Pence possessed the authority to prevent the certification of the 2020 election results during his ceremonial role as Senate presiding officer.
According to an excerpt from Hutchinson’s book, shared on The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, Trump used the word “hang” several times while watching the attack unfold on TV at the White House. Hutchinson described the moment when Trump handed her a cellphone to allow Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan to speak to him. She noticed Trump repeatedly saying “hang” during the conversation.
Hutchinson recounted, “Mark sees me, and I point at the phone screen, where Jim’s caller ID is visible. He comes over to take the phone, propping the door open with his body as he talks to Jim. I take a few steps back as Mark takes my place in the doorway, and I strain to listen to both conversations. The TV in the Oval [Office] dining room is blaring. The president is yelling. What is he saying? I can’t make it out. I hear him say ‘hang’ repeatedly. Hang? Hang? What’s that about? Mark hands his phone back to me. The cue for me to return to my desk.”
Hutchinson went on to explain that Trump posted on social media as the violence unfolded, claiming that Pence “didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done” regarding the 2020 election results. This post allegedly appeared just minutes after Trump was made aware that Pence was being escorted out of the Senate chamber for his safety.
Hutchinson also detailed an overheard conversation among White House lawyers, including Pat Cipollone, Pat Philbin, and Eric Herschmann, where they discussed calls for the vice president to be hanged. She claimed that Trump was accepting of this sentiment, believing Pence to be a traitor.
During her live television appearance on The Rachel Maddow Show, Hutchinson asserted that the Republican Party faces a critical juncture in deciding whether to continue supporting Trump, who is the front-runner in the 2024 GOP presidential primary and facing multiple criminal charges. She stressed the urgency for politicians to take a stand against Trump, emphasizing the potential threat to democracy.