This was the first surprise hearing of the series, which certainly will raise questions in and of itself: are witnesses in existential danger, or simply that they might turn shy after Trumpian blandishments are communicated to them, as the last five minutes of the hearing indicated?
The hearing itself didn’t put a stake through anyone’s heart, but Mark Meadows aide Cassidy Hutchinson, self-possessed and articulate even as she sweated, certainly did some damage. Under Rep Cheney’s (R-WY) guidance, we were given an eye-witness account of the activities of former President Trump, his Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, and various bit players.
Much of it was new and fascinating. It wasn’t hard to imagine veins throbbing in Meadows’ forehead during the broadcast, because he came out looking fairly awful. I don’t think it’s particularly insightful to state that the biggest unsolved mystery brought to light is the question of who Meadows was talking to on the phone when he refused to let Hutchinson into his car during the event at The Ellipse, where the former President gave his incitement speech. A grocery list from his wife? Confidential discussions with White House staff?
Instructions from an outside agency?
I don’t know if phone records will be available to solve the mystery, but I sure hope so.
In the end, though, the real goal of this hearing was to get the message out to other witnesses, both future and past: Information may spare you prison time. Obstinacy, such general Flynn “taking the Fifth” when it comes to whether he thinks a peaceful transfer of power is a good thing, may land you in a morass of dishonor, as well as prison.
Witnesses should think soberly about the costs of being on “Team Trump.” He won’t be loyal to you when your usefulness has passed, why be loyal to him?
