Trump 'chose not to act' as mob attacked, Jan. 6 committee says

Rep. Elaine Luria said that there is "evidence from multiple sources regarding an angry exchange in the presidential SUV" confirming Cassidy Hutchinson's previous bombshell testimony.

Hutchinson told the committee on June 28 that a member of Trump's security detail told her the president tried to grab the steering wheel as he demanded to join his supporters after his speech at the Ellipse. His team ultimately refused the request.

Sgt. Mark Robinson, a retired member of the Metropolitan Police Department responsible for the motorcade that day, told the committee he heard a similar description of what took place inside the vehicle.

"The description I received was the president was upset and was adamant about going to the Capitol, and there was a heated discussion about that," Robinson said in a videotaped interview.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., attempted to explain Trump's behavior on Jan. 6, when it took him several hours to respond to the riot.

"The mob was accomplishing President Trump's purpose, so of course he didn't intervene," Kinzinger said, noting the congressional certification of Joe Biden's victory was delayed for hours due to the violence.

"Here's what will be clear by the end of this hearing," Kinzinger said. "President Trump did not fail to act during the 187 minutes between leaving the Ellipse and telling the mob to go home. He chose not to act."

Committee vice chair Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., has sworn in the hearing's witnesses -- ex-staffers Matthew Pottinger, who was a member of the National Security Council, and Sarah Matthews, who served as deputy press secretary.

Both witnesses, seen as Trump White House insiders and supporters, resigned from their positions on Jan. 6 in the wake of the riot.

Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., gaveled in the committee around 8 p.m. as Chairman Bennie Thompson participates virtually after testing positive for COVID-19.

Cheney, the committee's vice chair, will preside over the hearing. Thompson said she will be responsible for maintaining order and swearing in witnesses.

Thompson also gave a preview of what's in store tonight as the committee analyzes Trump's response to the attack as it unfolded on Jan. 6, 2021.

"For 187 minutes, this man of destructive energy could not be moved," Thompson said of Trump. "He could not be moved to rise from his dining room table, and walk the few steps down to the press room."

Thompson said the committee's work won't stop here, stating it will reconvene in September.