Trump’s driver’s testimony refutes earlier account of Jan. 6 events

During the Jan. 6 protests at the U.S. Capitol, one of the most debated moments was President Donald Trump’s actions inside his armored vehicle after his speech at the Ellipse. Recent testimony has raised questions about previous statements, as reported by The New York Times reported on Monday.

New transcripts from the driver of the presidential limousine that day contradict claims made by a former White House aide to the House Jan. 6 committee.

Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, said that Anthony Ornato, a senior Secret Service official, told her that Trump “reached up towards the front of the vehicle to grab at the steering wheel.” However, the driver of the vehicle stated that Trump never attempted to grab the steering wheel or get physical with the agents.

The driver, whose name was not disclosed, recalled, “The president was insistent on going to the Capitol. It was clear he wanted to go. He was not screaming at anyone. His voice was raised, but he did not seem irate or agitated as he had been earlier.”

The Secret Service driver told investigators for the House panel, “I did not see him reach for the steering wheel. He never grabbed it or tried to get into the front seat. His irritation in his voice stood out more than any physical actions.”

Additional revelations by Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., on Saturday claimed that Trump had requested 10,000 National Guard troops to secure the capital, but was denied. Loudermilk wrote in a statement, “The J6 Select Committee apparently withheld Ornato’s witness testimony from the American people because it contradicted their narrative.”