Federal grand jury empaneled in DOJ probe of Cassidy Hutchinson, reports say

Right · 1The Justice Department has opened an investigation into former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson over allegations that she lied to Congress in testimony about Donald Trump's actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, the New York Post reported. 1 Right · 1A federal grand jury was empaneled earlier this week to hear evidence and witness testimony, according to a source familiar with the probe cited by the Post. 1 Right · 1The investigation was first reported by Punchbowl News, which said it is being run by the DOJ's Civil Rights Division and that Hutchinson has not yet received a subpoena to appear. 1

Left · 1Raw Story, also citing Punchbowl, said prosecutors from the Civil Rights Division laid out evidence before the grand jury this week alleging Hutchinson "lied to Congress," and described the department as moving toward a possible indictment. No charges have been announced. 2 Right · 1The Washington Examiner, citing a source who confirmed the investigation, reported that the Civil Rights Division will present additional evidence and witnesses later this month according to Punchbowl, that it is unclear when a grand jury decision on an indictment could come, and that the source did not say whether subpoenas have been drawn up. 3 Left · 1Hutchinson testified to the House Select Committee on January 6 over multiple days. Among her best-known claims was that a Secret Service agent told her Trump lunged at him in the presidential vehicle after the Ellipse speech, and that Trump was unbothered by reports that some in the crowd carried weapons. Trump has long called her account false. 2

Right · 2The Washington Examiner and Just the News said Hutchinson's account has been disputed, with the Examiner citing other witnesses and a 2024 House GOP report that challenged the credibility of the steering-wheel anecdote; Just the News said her story has faced scrutiny for years and that the statements DOJ presented to the grand jury as untrue have not been disclosed. 3 4 Left · 1Raw Story said Republican lawmakers had earlier pressed the department to bring charges, as CNN reported in March, and that former Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly pursued the case to try to save her job. 2 Left · 1Raw Story noted that any case would turn on whether prosecutors can identify a specific false statement, and that the report flags the Washington, D.C., venue as a potential hurdle given difficulties in prosecutions brought by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office. 2

Left · 1Raw Story placed the probe among Trump Justice Department actions against critics, including Comey and Letitia James, and said Trump rejects the revenge label. 2 Right · 1The Post said it asked Hutchinson for comment and that DOJ representatives did not immediately respond; neither account includes a response from either. 1