January 6 panel told Trump indicated support for hanging Mike Pence

Check of Meadows comment characterizing Trump’s reaction to his vice president was given to the committee at least one witness, according to people familiar with investigation, but people did not describe the tone with which comment was made. They spoke on condition of anonymity to be more frankly on a sensitive subject.

development was first reports the New York Times.

The committee declined to comment. In a statement, Trump said the investigation was “just extension of slander of democrats campaign”. representative for Meadows did not respond to a request. for comment.

Meadows was in and out of dining room off oval office on day of in attack and in Trump’s presence during the riot, according to testimony given to the committee former White House staff who we in West Wing that day.

attack: Before, during and after the siege of 6 January.

The Washington Post previously reported that Trump told others about Pence while watching on television when the rioters laid siege to the Capitol. At 2:24 p.m., a few minutes after the vice president and his family endangered by Trump supporters and forced to flee the Senate floor, Trump tweeted that Pence lacked “courage”:

“Mike Pence didn’t have the guts to do what should were made to protect our country and our constitution, giving states chance certify corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones they were asked to confirm earlier,” Trump tweeted. “The US wants truth!”

cassidy Hutchinson, former assistant to Meadows, the committee asked about this account and confirmed it, according to two people familiar with investigation. Hutchinson sat for several interviews with committee and provided detailed information about lead-up to and events on January 6, 2021, according to these people and testimonies in commission lawsuits.

Key questions remain as the January 6 hearing approaches

Familiar people with the committee work they said view Hutchinson, Meadows’ longtime assistant, key witness.

Hutchinson was in number of meetings in White House and had an extensive access in Meadows, one said the man. Her lawyer did not respond to a request. for comment.

The committee is particularly interested in Meadows role in Trump’s efforts to cancel the 2020 election, the man said, and compiled a detailed report. of his behavior during that period. Some witnesses said Meadows used his fireplace to burn documents, a person close to the committee said.