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Washington, D.C. — Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to Donald Trump, stated in an interview on Monday that the Republican party is facing a “make or break” moment regarding nominating Trump for president again in 2024.
“We’re talking about a man who at the very essence of his being almost destroyed democracy in one day, and he wants to do it again,” said Hutchinson on MSNBC, referring to the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters.
“He wants to run for president to do it again,” Hutchinson added. She noted Trump’s multiple indictments since leaving office, saying “I would not have a clear conscience and be able to sleep at night if I were a Republican… that supported Donald Trump. And I think that if they’re not willing to split with that, then we’re in serious trouble.”
Hutchinson was a key witness in the January 6 hearings last summer, providing dramatic testimony about Trump’s knowledge and actions related to the Capitol attack. Her new book “Enough” comes out this week and chronicles her journey from Trump believer to disenchanted former aide.
Trump Remains Dominant in 2024 Polls Despite Legal Issues
Despite being indicted on several criminal charges since leaving office, Trump remains the dominant frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination in early polls. This concerns Hutchinson and other critics who believe he remains a threat to democracy.
The charges against Trump accuse him of retaining classified documents illegally, hush-money payments, and efforts to overturn the 2020 election that led to the January 6 attack. Trump has pleaded not guilty.
“I do not believe that Mr. Trump is a strong Republican,” said Hutchinson on MSNBC. “In this election cycle, in my opinion, it’s a make-or-break moment for the Republican party. Now is the time if these politicians [in the party] … want to make the break and want to take the stand — they have to do it now.”
Capitol Attack Was Trump’s Attempt to “Destroy Democracy”
The January 6, 2021 Capitol attack saw thousands of Trump supporters storm the building during Congress’s certification of Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election. The riot led to multiple deaths and over 1,100 criminal charges.
According to Hutchinson, the attack represents Trump’s blatant attempt to cling to power illegally after losing to Biden. She believes nominating Trump again in 2024 would give him another chance to undermine democracy.
“I will say on behalf of myself — I never dated Matt Gaetz,” Hutchinson said, addressing rumors spread partly by Gaetz himself. “I have much higher standards in men.”
Despite criticizing figures like Trump and Gaetz, Hutchinson still considers herself a Republican, albeit more moderate like Mitt Romney or Ronald Reagan. She hopes to see the party break from its far-right wing.
Hutchinson Provided Damning January 6 Testimony
As a White House aide under chief of staff Mark Meadows, Hutchinson had inside access to Trump’s circle on January 6. Her dramatic testimony to Congress offered damning details about Trump’s knowledge and encouragement of the Capitol attack.
Key moments Hutchinson described included Trump lunging at a Secret Service agent who refused to take him to the Capitol. She also shared accounts of Trump allies like Rudy Giuliani urging the president to take extreme measures to overturn the election.
Hutchinson’s first-hand experiences as a Trump aide before turning against him are now detailed in her new memoir Enough, which recounts her political journey.
Despite Hutchinson’s warnings, Trump remains favored to win the 2024 GOP nomination. With midterm elections approaching, Republicans face difficult choices in breaking with Trump’s damaging legacy or empowering him further.
Conclusion
Cassidy Hutchinson’s rise from true believer to key impeachment witness gives her a unique vantage point on the threat Trump still poses. With Hutchinson warning of grave consequences, Republicans have tough decisions ahead on whether to embrace Trump’s divisive rhetoric or chart a more moderate path without him.
