“The Beast” is the nickname of the US President’s official limousine. Donald Trump had just taken his place in the back, on January 6, 2021, after coming down from the stage in Ellipse Park, in the heart of Washington. At the microphone, he had harangued his supporters, repeated his lies about electoral fraud and called on the crowd to march on the Capitol, where the certification of the results of the presidential election was to take place. “The Beast” rumbled, ready to start. Donald Trump then intended to go to Parliament, where the rioters were already breaking through the first police roadblocks.
On board the armored vehicle was Robert Engel, the leader of his close protection team. “It’s not secure. We’re going back to the White House.” said the latter. “I’m the fucking president, take me to the Capitol!” », retorted Trump, who leaned forward to grab the wheel. Robert Engel grabbed his arm, asking him to stop. With his free hand, the 45e President of the United States then tried to grab him by the neck.
Anthony Ornato, chief of operations within the administration, was in the vehicle. Back at the White House, he will tell this episode to Cassidy Hutchinson, assistant to Mark Meadows, the chief of staff. On Tuesday, June 28, this 25-year-old young woman was the sole witness of the sixth public session of the commission of inquiry into the assault on the Capitol, on January 6, 2021. She had already been heard under oath four times, at behind closed doors. Of obvious courage, posed, precise, this republican of conviction delivered a devastating story, encountering it is true no contradiction or destabilizing question which would have gone out of the framework of the demonstration planned by the elected officials.
Through the media, the Secret Service, responsible for protecting personalities, said on Tuesday evening that the driver and Robert Engel would be ready to deny under oath any physical attack on the president. But this anecdotal dispute over a moment reported by others, without contesting the final destination favored by Donald Trump, does not instil doubt in Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony. His words go down in history.
A Twilight White House
But which ? That, certainly, of the parliamentary commissions of inquiry, fading the memory of Watergate. That of American democracy, passed to a breath, a tweet, a swipe or a gunshot, an implosion. That of Donald Trump drifting at the end of the river of lies, beyond good and evil, carrying in his wake very willing accomplices and hostages. Cassidy Hutchinson portrayed a twilight White House with the efficiency reserved for modern television series. But no fiction could be as raw as his narrative.
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