Report: Witnesses Said Trump Approved of Jan. 6 Chants to 'Hang Mike Pence'
The Facts
Two witnesses have testified to the committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot that former Pres. Trump reacted approvingly to the rioters chanting "Hang Mike Pence," according to The New York Times.
At least one witness recalled White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows commenting on Trump complaining that then-VP Pence was being taken to a safe area. Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to Meadows, confirmed that story when asked by the committee.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
This is damning for the former president. He didn't just rile up the crowd but also directed them to pressure Pence to delay Congress' count of electors. This could also be why he didn't do more to stop the riot, and might explain why Meadows won't cooperate with the committee.
Republican narrative
Rather than trying to solve real problems like soaring gas prices or rocketing inflation, Democrats insist on focusing on the past and Donald Trump. Their smear campaign against the former president is simply a midterm strategy and a desperate attempt to distract from Biden's approval ratings being in the tank.
