Stephen Colbert discusses the January 6th committee hearing, where Cassidy Hutchinson, a former top aide to Mark Meadows, testified about the events leading up to the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Hutchinson revealed that President Trump knew about the violence that was going to occur and still wanted to accompany his supporters to the Capitol. She also stated that Trump was aware of the presence of armed individuals in the crowd and didn't care, saying "they're not here to hurt me."
Additionally, Hutchinson testified that Trump had a history of throwing dishes and flipping tablecloths in the White House, and that he was extremely angry when Attorney General Bill Barr said there was no evidence of election fraud. She also recounted how Trump's lawyer, Pat Cipolloni, warned Meadows that if they didn't stop the attack, people would die and the blood would be on their hands.
Colbert also criticized Mark Meadows for seeking a presidential pardon related to January 6th and compared him unfavorably to Hutchinson, who is testifying despite receiving threats of violence. The episode ends with a clip of General Michael Flynn being questioned by the committee and refusing to answer whether he believes the violence on January 6th was justified.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The January 6 committee held a surprise hearing featuring Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to Mark Meadows.
2. Hutchinson testified that Mark Meadows knew about the potential for violence on January 6th but did not act to prevent it.
3. Meadows' chief of staff, Cassidy Hutchinson, overheard Meadows discussing the possibility of violence on January 6th with Rudy Giuliani.
4. Meadows was aware of a conversation where the President said "we're going to go to the Capitol" and that things "might get real bad".
5. The President's chief of staff, Mark Meadows, knew about the potential for violence but did not act to prevent it.
6. The President wanted to accompany his supporters to the Capitol, but White House lawyer Pat Cipolloni advised against it.
7. Cipolloni told Hutchinson that if they went to the Capitol, they would be charged with "every crime imaginable".
8. The President was aware of the potential for violence but still wanted to go to the Capitol.
9. The Secret Service stopped the President from going to the Capitol due to safety concerns.
10. The President became angry and grabbed for the steering wheel of the car, but was restrained by the Secret Service.
11. Hutchinson testified that the President threw his lunch against the wall in the dining room after Attorney General Bill Barr said there was no election fraud.
12. The President often threw dishes and flipped tablecloths in anger.
13. White House lawyer Pat Cipolloni demanded that Mark Meadows tell the President to stop the attack on the Capitol.
14. Meadows' assistant, Cassidy Hutchinson, testified despite receiving threats of violence.
15. Mark Meadows sought a presidential pardon related to January 6th.
16. General Michael Flynn was interviewed by the committee and seemed disinclined to answer questions about the violence on January 6.