07-02-2022, 07:15 AM
Hutchinson's testimony was problematic for both sides of this conversation. It detailed events in a way that could make Trump's words/actions on January 6th open to incitement charges. It's not likely, but the evidence could be there. It is, however, problematic for those looking to prosecute Trump because of some of the counter claims as well as her constant use of "to the effect of." These things do open up doubt.
However, they could be enough for a grand jury investigation if the DoJ had the willpower to do it. Such an investigation could result in subpoenas of folks that would have more teeth to them, would be done in private, and would be more likely to get at the facts of the events. I don't foresee this happening, but this is what the political theater we are seeing unfold is aiming for.
Now, the motorcade thing may be inaccurate, I don't know. I honestly don't care at all about it. She was retelling something that was told to her, which in a court could be considered hearsay and inadmissible. That story wasn't the one that was really an issue for me, though. The conversation about the metal detectors was the thing that really jumped out to me. That Trump knew, and possibly encouraged people in the crowd to be armed, then sent them to the Capitol could absolutely be evidence for incitement of violence that would make even political speech become unprotected. Hutchinson's testimony on this was based on her first hand knowledge, i.e. not hearsay.
However, they could be enough for a grand jury investigation if the DoJ had the willpower to do it. Such an investigation could result in subpoenas of folks that would have more teeth to them, would be done in private, and would be more likely to get at the facts of the events. I don't foresee this happening, but this is what the political theater we are seeing unfold is aiming for.
Now, the motorcade thing may be inaccurate, I don't know. I honestly don't care at all about it. She was retelling something that was told to her, which in a court could be considered hearsay and inadmissible. That story wasn't the one that was really an issue for me, though. The conversation about the metal detectors was the thing that really jumped out to me. That Trump knew, and possibly encouraged people in the crowd to be armed, then sent them to the Capitol could absolutely be evidence for incitement of violence that would make even political speech become unprotected. Hutchinson's testimony on this was based on her first hand knowledge, i.e. not hearsay.
"A great democracy has got to be progressive, or it will soon cease to be either great or a democracy..." - TR
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - FDR
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - FDR