A former officer who was part of Donald Trump’s motorcade on Jan. 6, 2021, said Monday that Trump was “upset” that he was not allowed to join his supporters attacking the Capitol. ,” he said.
Now retired DC police officer Mark Robinson, who was in the car in front of Trump’s motorcade on Jan. 6, said: told CNN That Trump was anxious to visit the Capitol grounds after his speech at the “Stop Stealing” rally in Ellipse.
“I heard it several times while I was in the motorcade,” said Robinson, who is also a witness to the House Jan. 6 Committee investigation. “During the speech, I think he finished his speech shortly after that and the president got in the motorcade and was upset. And he was adamant that he wanted to go to the Capitol.”
He continues: … It was a violent argument in a limousine. And he definitely wanted to go to the Capitol. ”
Robinson’s comments seem to align with White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson testimony Trump got into a physical altercation with Secret Service details on Jan. 6 and tried to get behind the wheel of the president’s limousine in hopes of driving it to the Capitol.
“The president reached out to the front of the car and grabbed the steering wheel,” Hutchinson told the panel. “[Secret Service agent Bobby] Engel grabbed him by the arm and said, “Sir, take your hands off the steering wheel, we’re going back to the West Wing. We’re not going to the Capitol.
Hutchinson said the story was elaborated on by former White House operations chief Anthony Ornato.
An unnamed Secret Service official had previously said that Ornart, Engel and an unnamed presidential limousine driver would testify under oath that Hutchinson’s account was inaccurate, but so far so. No. All three also employ private attorneys.
“Some officers said they would come and speak under oath,” Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-California), a Jan. 6 committee member, told reporters. according to the salon“They’re not coming. Recently they hired a private lawyer, which is unusual, but they have the right to do that.”
Robinson said he was relieved the Secret Service didn’t grant the president’s wish to drive to the Capitol, adding that Trump’s presence would have further motivated the rebels.
“I think I probably encouraged the riots.” [the rioters would have] I felt supported,” Robinson told CNN. “If the president’s motorcade was backing them…I think the rebels probably would have felt like they had the president’s backing.”
This article originally appeared on huff post and updated.