GOP Fears Jan. 6 Probe Will Expose Their X-Rated and ‘Embarrassing’ Texts
Mike Johnson’s office urged Republicans against subpoenaing a key Jan. 6 Committee witness so “sexually explicit” texts GOP lawmakers sent her would remain under wraps, a report alleged Thursday.
The witness in question is Cassidy Hutchinson, a 28-year-old former White House aide from Donald Trump’s first term who gave explosive testimony to the committee about his actions leading up to Jan. 6, 2021.
Trump’s return to power has Republicans clamoring to seek retribution against political foes who probed Trump, his advisers, and his supporters about the infamous day. Sordid texts supposedly sent to Hutchinson appear to have thrown a wrench in at least a portion of those plans, however.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk, a Republican from Georgia, floated the idea of issuing a subpoena to Hutchinson seeking digital communications that might implicate Trump rivals like former Rep. Liz Cheney of wrongdoing.
Loudermilk was dissuaded from doing this after he was told such a subpoena would reveal “sexual texts from members who were trying to engage in sexual favors” with Hutchinson and other “embarrassing information,” The Washington Post reported.
The supposed texts are not stopping Loudermilk from pushing forward with an investigation—or, reinvestigation, as it’s been called—entirely, however. Johnson has still asked Loudermilk to chair a new select subcommittee to scrutinize those who probed the Capitol attack.
Joe Biden issued Cheney a blanket preemptive pardon to protect her from criminal prosecutions. Hutchinson, a witness called to testify by Cheney, did not receive such a pardon.
It was Hutchinson’s testimony in 2022 that alleged Trump once grabbed the wheel of a moving limousine to change his destination, lunged at a Secret Service agent, and threw a plate of food against a wall on Jan. 6 and in the days preceding it.
Hutchinson has not kept an entirely low profile since testifying, with her publishing a book in 2023 about being thrust into the national spotlight for the Jan. 6 probe. Her lawyer, Bill Jordan, told the Post his client cooperated voluntarily with Congress and stands behind everything she shared.
“Ms. Hutchinson has testified truthfully and stands behind every word despite the efforts of men in powerful positions to attack her,” he said.
Jordan did not address the supposed sexual texts. It remains unclear which GOP lawmaker—or lawmakers—allegedly sent them.
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DAILY BEAST