Trump's DOJ seeks criminal indictment of Cassidy Hutchinson over her Jan. 6 'lunge' testimony

From the Newshound archive · first published 8 October 2026 · last updated 9 October 2026.

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has presented evidence to a federal grand jury in a case alleging that Cassidy Hutchinson, 29, lied to Congress during her prominent 2022 testimony about Trump's conduct on January 6, 2021. Prosecutors working under Trump ally Harmeet Dhillon began presenting evidence this week, with additional witnesses expected before the end of the month. Hutchinson has maintained that everything she told Congress was truthful, though she acknowledged last month that she is a target of a federal criminal investigation. No charging decision has been made.

Hutchinson testified that Trump 'lunged' for the wheel of his Secret Service SUV to join supporters at the Capitol — an account the driver and other officials have disputed.

Using the Civil Rights Division to pursue a congressional perjury inquiry is highly unusual and has drawn sharp criticism from legal scholars.

Trump has already directed his DOJ against James Comey, former FBI director, New York AG Letitia James, and prosecutors who investigated him — Hutchinson is the latest on what allies call his 'revenge list'.