Now Reading
APPEARANCE OF GUILT: Mark Meadows joined the Sedition Caucus in seeking a Trump pardon

APPEARANCE OF GUILT: Mark Meadows joined the Sedition Caucus in seeking a Trump pardon

APPEARANCE OF GUILT: Mark Meadows joined the Sedition Caucus in seeking a Trump pardon

Former senior White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson revealed today that her former boss, Mark Meadows, sought a pardon for his role in the January 6th insurrection. Through Hutchinson’s testimony, we were given a first-hand account of what went on during the days leading up to the worst attack on our country in recent history. And it’s clear that the former White House Chief of Staff not only knew there was a good chance of violence on January 6th – he expected it – and traitorously ignored it.

But when the coup failed, Meadows – along with several congressional representatives – hoped to be pardoned by Trump before the sore loser left office.

Warnings of violence shared with Meadows from members of the intelligence and security communities were dismissed. Cassidy Hutchinson testified that in December 2020, Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, was concerned that January 6th could “spiral out of control.” Ratcliffe worried that continuing to spread false information about the election being stolen — and actively trying to subvert the election results — could lead to “dangerous repercussions.”

National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien, and deputy chief of staff Tony Ornato both had credible intelligence about potential violence. The select committee shared emails between Secret Service Intelligence and White House staff – including Meadow’s deputy, Ornato, and Trump’s head of security, Robert Engel — that included warnings of plans to occupy the Capitol building and stop the counting of electoral votes. Vice-Chair Liz Cheney (R-WY), shared details of one of those emails with the audience at the hearing:

“Patriots must show up in D.C. on January 6th to protest the election fraud. –We must occupy every federal building, park, monument, & open space. Fight for Trump. We need to flood the Capital Building and show America, and the Senators and representatives inside voting that we won’t stand for election fraud,” the emails quoted the threats that were circulating online.

But Meadows still refused to take action. And, as evidenced by the bevy of text messages that Meadows received, members of right-wing media and Donald Trump’s own family begged the chief of staff to do something.

Hutchinson also testified that Senior White House Counsel Pat Cipollone warned that no good would come of going to the Capitol. Cipollone was worried that a trip by Trump to the Capitol during or after the riots would bring legal consequences to all involved, including from obstructing justice to obstructing the electoral count – and inciting or encouraging a riot. Even as the mob grew more violent, chanting for Vice President Mike Pence to be hung, Meadows ignored Cipollone. The Chief of Staff told the attorney:

“You heard him, he thinks Mike deserves it. He doesn’t think they’re doing anything wrong.”

Cipollone responded to Meadows’ indifference, telling him “Mark, something needs to be done or people are going to die or blood will be on your effing hands.”

While he may not have cared during the attempted coup, Meadows certainly did afterward. He cared about the possible consequences of trying to overthrow the government and sought a Presidential pardon. But like Representatives Mo Brooks (R-AL), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Scott Perry (R-PA), and Paul Gosar (R-AZ) – no Trump pardon for you, Mr. Meadows.

Follow Ty Ross on Twitter @cooltxchick

Ty Ross
News journalist for Occupy Democrats.

© 2022 Occupy Democrats. All Rights Reserved.

Scroll To Top