Prosecutors within the Justice Department’s civil rights division are pursuing criminal charges against Cassidy Hutchinson, a former senior aide to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, according to sources familiar with the matter. The potential charges relate to statements made to Congress, according to the person with knowledge of the investigation.
Hutchinson provided testimony to the committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack, during which she described interactions involving former President Trump on that date. Her account included claims about Trump’s movements and statements that day. Republicans have disputed her characterization of events.
The Justice Department’s pursuit of charges against Hutchinson represents an unusual prosecutorial path, as such investigations are typically handled by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia rather than the civil rights division. News of the potential indictment was first reported by Punchbowl News. A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment on the investigation, stating the department does not confirm or deny the existence of investigations.
Hutchinson’s case follows other recent prosecutorial actions taken by the Justice Department against various figures. The department previously indicted former FBI Director James Comey on charges of lying to Congress and New York Attorney General Letitia James on mortgage fraud charges, though both cases were dismissed after a judge determined the prosecutor had been unlawfully appointed. The department subsequently filed a new indictment against Comey. The Justice Department has also filed charges against the nonprofit Southern Poverty Law Center and journalist Don Lemon.
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