Key January 6 riots witness says lawyer sought to influence testimony

Former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson told the House January 6 committee that her first lawyer advised her against being fully forthcoming with the panel, telling her it was acceptable to testify that she did not recall certain events when she actually did and that the less you remember, the better, according to a transcript of one of her interviews released on Thursday.

The lawyer, Stefan Passantino, denied the allegations, saying in a statement that he had done nothing wrong and had acted honourably, ethically, and fully consistent with her sole interests.

Hutchinson, who was top aide to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, emerged as a key witness in the committee's investigation, delivering compelling live testimony about former President Donald Trump's actions on January 6, 2021.

These actions included his directive that magnetometers be removed from a rally of his supporters that day and his angry and ultimately rebuffed demands to be taken by the Secret ...