NEW YORK — A former aide in Donald Trump’s White House says chief of staff Mark Meadows burned papers so often after the 2020 election that it left his office smoky and even prompted his wife to complain that his suits smelled “like a bonfire.”
Unveiling Disturbing Secrets
Cassidy Hutchinson, a prominent congressional witness against former President Trump before the House Jan. 6 committee, reveals shocking details about the burning papers in her new book, “Enough,” set to be released Tuesday. The Associated Press obtained an exclusive copy of the book.
Inside Meadows’ Realm
Hutchinson, a White House staffer in her 20s who worked closely with Meadows, testified for two hours on national television about the White House’s inner workings leading up to and including the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
A Desperate Attempt
Trump and Meadows made multiple attempts to challenge the former president’s election loss in several states. Both face indictment in Georgia for an alleged illegal conspiracy to overturn the results.
A Burning Ritual
According to Hutchinson’s book, Meadows instructed for a fire to be lit in his office every morning starting from mid-December. She vividly recalls entering his office during lunch breaks, only to find Meadows leaning over the fiery pit, intently feeding papers into it, watching them burn.
Testimony Reinforced
Hutchinson had previously testified to the House Jan. 6 committee about witnessing Meadows burning documents in his office on approximately twelve occasions, providing compelling evidence of the destruction of critical records.
Inside the Former White House: Revelations from a Staff Member
Experiences recounted by a former staffer shed light on concerning behavior within the White House during the tumultuous final months of the Trump administration. The staffer, who goes by the name of Hutchinson, detailed several incidents in a recently published book.
Preservation of Presidential Records
Hutchinson expressed her alarm when she noticed one of her colleagues, whose identity remains undisclosed, burning papers. Under federal law, the preservation of original documents related to the presidency is required, with staff members responsible for sending them to the National Archives. This act sparked concerns about potential violations of these regulations.
A Smoky Encounter
On a day when Republican Representative Devin Nunes paid a visit to Mark Meadows, then Chief of Staff, Hutchinson was asked by Nunes to open the windows in Meadows’ office due to the presence of smoke. Exercising caution, Hutchinson warned Meadows that setting off the smoke alarm was a likely possibility.
“A Bonfire-Scented Wardrobe”
Subsequent to the Capitol attack on January 6th, as the Trump administration began preparing to vacate the White House, Meadows’ wife joined in to assist. She implored Hutchinson to refrain from lighting the fireplace for Meadows, as his suits were consistently acquiring a distinct bonfire smell. Staying on top of dry cleaning had become an exasperating task for her.
Seeking a Response
Efforts to obtain a response from Mark Meadows’ attorney regarding these incidents have been unsuccessful as of Monday.
Allegations Against Rudy Giuliani
Hutchinson also recounts an unsettling encounter backstage on the morning of January 6th. As Trump addressed his supporters in Washington, she claims that Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City and Trump’s lawyer at the time, groped her. According to Hutchinson, Giuliani slid his hand under her blazer and skirt, running it along her thigh while showing her a stack of documents pertaining to his attempts to overturn the election.
Denial and Dismissal
Giuliani vehemently denied these accusations in an interview with Newsmax, branding them as “absolutely false” and “totally absurd.” He firmly stated that he would never engage in such behavior, especially in front of a large audience.
As the revelations continue to surface, they provide further insight into the inner workings of the White House during a highly contentious period in American history.
