The five most damaging allegations against Trump from the Jan. 6 hearings so far – The Hill
The House select committee investigating Jan. 6 has dominated the news agenda during the past month, holding six public hearings.
The panel, comprised of seven Democrats and two Republicans critical of Trump Reps. Liz Cheney (Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) has laid out a compelling case against the former president.
By the panels account, Trump knew his claims of election fraud were bogus, recklessly encouraged the Jan 6. rioters and endangered his own vice president as members of a mob marching on the Capitol called for Mike Pences hanging.
Whether the panel will make a criminal referral of Trump to the Department of Justice has not been settled. And there are still more hearings to go.
Here are five of the most damaging details leveled against Trump during the proceedings so far.
Ivanka Trump accepted there was no widespread election fraud
The first Jan. 6 hearing was carried in prime time on June 9 and drew an audience of around 20 million people.
There was plenty of dramatic testimony from the hearing room but the most telling detail and the one with the most lasting impact came from a video interview with Ivanka Trump.
The presidents elder daughter said that she accepted the view of then-Attorney General William Barr that there was no evidence that fraud altered the outcome of the 2020 election.
It affected my perspective, Ivanka Trump said on the video, referring to Barrs assessment. I respect Attorney General Barr so I accepted what he was saying.
Others in Trumps circle have derided his spurious claims of election fraud, but his own daughter doing so packed a unique emotional force.
The following day, the former president fired back, insisting that Ivanka Trump was not involved in looking at, or studying, Election results.
His post, on his Truth Social network, added: She had long since checked out and was, in my opinion, only trying to be respectful to Bill Barr and his position as Attorney General (he sucked!).
As is often the case with the former president, the ferocity of the response seemed to betray an awareness that hed taken a hit.
Trump allegedly knew the Jan. 6 crowd had weapons and wanted to join them at the Capitol anyways
Cassidy Hutchinson, a 26-year-old former aide to former Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, caused a sensation when she testified to a hastily convened meeting of the committee on June 28.
Hutchinson related all kinds of unflattering details regarding Trumps behavior around Jan. 6.
Controversy raged for days over her testimony.
She said she was told a story of Trump lunging for the steering wheel of his vehicle and tussling with a Secret Service agent after being informed he could not go to the Capitol after his rally at the Ellipse on Jan. 6.
The Secret Service agent involved and the driver of the vehicle are reported to be willing to testify that Trump did not make such a lunge and that no one was assaulted.
But on Friday, CNN reported that two Secret Service agents confirmed they had heard accounts similar to Hutchinsons.
In any event, the more substantively damning part of Hutchinsons testimony concerned Trumps knowledge that many of the people in the Jan. 6 crowd were carrying weapons.
Hutchinson, who was backstage at the Ellipse rally, said she heard Trump say something to the effect of, I dont effing care that they have weapons. Theyre not here to hurt me They can march to the Capitol from here.
Trump again took to Truth Social to insist that he didnt want or request that we make room for people with guns to watch my speech, adding, Who would ever want that?
But if Hutchinsons testimony is accurate and she says she heard the remarks firsthand it suggests the then-president was acutely aware of the possibility for violence at the Capitol just before he told the crowd at the Ellipse that they should fight like hell.
That raises the stakes politically and could even elevate the chance of criminal prosecution.
Trumps own campaign manager balked at fraud claims and was proud to be on Team Normal
The panels second hearing, held on June 13, made the case that Trump must have known his claims of election fraud were bogus, given how many people within his own inner circle were telling him this.
The hearing rendered an unflattering portrait of Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor who served as Trumps personal lawyer.
Trump campaign general counsel Matt Morgan recalled how law firms were not comfortable making the arguments that Rudy Giuliani was making publicly because of the dearth of evidence to back them up.
White House lawyer Eric Herschmann said he thought that the overall thrust of the arguments put forth by Giuliani and other Trump backers such as attorney Sidney Powell was nuts.
A memorable phrase from Trump 2020 campaign manager Bill Stepien best summed up the schisms that were developing in the then-presidents orbit.
I didnt mind being characterized as being part of Team Normal, as reporters kinda started to do around that point in time, Stepien said in a video deposition.
Stepien said he hoped that he had earned a good reputation for being honest and professional over many years in Republican political consultancy.
I didnt think what was happening was necessarily honest or professional at that point in time, he added.
The Election Defense Fund that didnt exist
The second hearing also focused on the Trump campaigns fundraising efforts in the immediate aftermath of the election.
The Big Lie was also a big rip-off, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) contended.
Lofgren cited the barrage of fundraising emails Team Trump sent to supporters between Election Day and Jan. 6. On some days, more than 20 such emails were blasted out.
Many encouraged the recipients to contribute to an Election Defense Fund, the suggestion being that the money would be used to push Trumps claims of fraud in court.
One problem: the Election Defense Fund didnt exist.
I dont believe there is actually a fund called the Election Defense Fund, the former digital director for the Trump campaign, Gary Coby, acknowledged.
The nonexistent fund was, at best, a marketing ruse.
It was also an effective one. Between the election and early December 2020, the joint fundraising efforts of Trump and the Republican National Committee raised about $207 million.
Much of the money seemed to go to Trumps main post-election political action committee, Save America PAC.
According to the panel, this PAC in turn made millions of dollars of contributions to pro-Trump organizations.
Trump reportedly thought Mike Pence deserved to hang
One of many shocking occurrences on Jan. 6 was the call from some in the crowd to hang Pence, who resisted urgings from Trump and his allies to help overturn the election.
Trump had sought both publicity and privately to ratchet up the pressure on Pence, including in his speech at the Ellipse.
According to Hutchinsons testimony, the then-president was blithely unconcerned with Pences fate even after serious violence broke out.
Hutchinson recounted witnessing a conversation between Meadows and White House counsel Pat Cipollone soon after the two had been in Trumps presence.
Cipollone, she said, urged more direct action to quell the violence because they are literally calling for the vice president to be effing hung.
Meadows, according to Hutchinson, said something to the effect of, You heard him, Pat. He thinks Mike deserves it. He doesnt think theyre doing anything wrong.
More:
The five most damaging allegations against Trump from the Jan. 6 hearings so far - The Hill
- Scenes from former Vice President Dick Cheneys funeral at Washington National Cathedral today. Former Presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden were in... - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Mike Pence says America must continue to stand with Israel amid Union protest - varsity.co.uk - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Mike Pence, 48th Vice President of the United States, speaks at Chatham House - Chatham House - November 16th, 2025 [November 16th, 2025]
- Mike Pence's Handwritten Notes Reveal the Insult Donald Trump Used in Final Conversation Before Jan. 6 Riots - People.com - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Mike Pence's Handwritten Notes Reveal the Insult Donald Trump Used in Final Conversation Before Jan. 6 Riots - Yahoo - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Mike Pence's Handwritten Notes Reveal the Insult Donald Trump Used in Final Conversation Before Jan. 6 Riots - Yahoo News Canada - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Excerpts from Mike Pence notes on Jan. 6 conversations with Trump come out: Youll go down as a wimp - Diario AS - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Trump Slammed Mike Pence As A Wimp In Final Call Before Jan. 6 Insurrection - HuffPost - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Donald Trump's Insult For Mike Pence On Jan 6 Should Have JD Vance Watching His Back - thelist.com - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Trumps final words on Jan 6 to Mike Pence revealed - The Independent - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Trumps final words on Jan 6 to Mike Pence revealed - Yahoo News Canada - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Exclusive: Mike Pence, Conan OBrien, Helena Bonham Carter, George R. R. Martin to speak at the Union - The Oxford Student - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Mike Pence and John Bolton say Americas future lies with its citizens - Harvard Kennedy School - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Former Vice President Mike Pence voiced support for Harvard researchers caught up in the White Houses antisemitism investigations at a Harvard forum... - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- What Trump's First VP Mike Pence Has Been Up To Since Being Iced Out Of His Inner Circle - thelist.com - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Trump judicial pick who faced conservative backlash gets boost from Mike Pence group - Washington Examiner - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Says Trump Is 'Right' When He Says Ukraine Can Fight And Win Back Territory From Russia - Benzinga - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- Former VP Mike Pence Heads To Academia With Faculty Role At George Mason University - Benzinga - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
- Former VP Mike Pence to teach politics at George Mason University in the Spring - WJLA - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
- Mike Pence Arrives At Capitol Before Trump Inauguration Made A Post (CIs2MbvVKU) - folha do es - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
- Today, Vice President Mike Pence surprised guests at the Bush Center and sat down for a special taping of The Strategerist podcast before a live... - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Former VP Mike Pence to become George Mason University professor - WUSA9 - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Former VP Mike Pence: China is the greatest economic and strategic threat facing the U.S. - CNBC - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Mike Pence joins George Mason University faculty - DC News Now - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Former VP Mike Pence to teach politics at George Mason University in the Spring - WSET - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Mike Pence announces he will be teaching at George Mason University in Virginia - weareiowa.com - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Video Mike Pence to teach politics at George Mason University in 2026 - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Mike Pence joins George Mason University faculty - The Business Journals - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Mike Pence: "We gotta be careful about putting America on trial whenever we see evil overtake the heart of any individual. In this case, absent... - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Joins George Mason University as Distinguished Professor - National Review - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- FORMER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE: Five years on, the Abraham Accords still point the way to peace - Fox News - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to speak at UNCW this fall - Port City Daily - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Vice President Mike Pence to Keynote UNCWs Dare to Learn Lecture - University of North Carolina Wilmington - August 27th, 2025 [August 27th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Blames Trump Tariffs As John Deere Cuts 238 Jobs In Iowa: 'Time To Get Back To Free Trade With Free Nations' - Benzinga - August 26th, 2025 [August 26th, 2025]
- Mike Pence on Trumps handling of Putin, tariffs - NewsNation - August 22nd, 2025 [August 22nd, 2025]
- Former VP Mike Pence tells The Hill on NewsNation Putin doesnt want peace - The Hill - August 22nd, 2025 [August 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Calls For 'Free Trade With Free Nations' And Says Tariffs Ultimately Hurt U.S. Businesses And Shoppers - Yahoo Finance - August 14th, 2025 [August 14th, 2025]
- Mike Pence-Backed Group Calls for End to Gambling Loss Tax Deductions - newsnet5.com - August 12th, 2025 [August 12th, 2025]
- US companies and consumers paying the cost of Trumps tariffs - Mike Pence - sentinelassam.com - August 12th, 2025 [August 12th, 2025]
- Eric Metaxas Guest John Zmirak: Mike Pence, Lindsey Graham, John McCain Were Part of Obama Coup Claimed by Gabbard - People For the American Way - August 9th, 2025 [August 9th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Says 'Time Has Come' to Share Epstein Files, Adding 'Anyone' Associated with the 'Despicable Man' Deserves Scrutiny - AOL.com - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Joins Calls To Release Epstein Files: The Time Has Come - Yahoo Home - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Extended Interview: Mike Pence on Trump tariffs, Jeffrey Epstein and more - CBS News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Mike Pence calls for the release of the Epstein files - AOL.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Mike Pence urges Trump to 'release all the files' on Jeffrey Epstein - USA Today - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence pushes for release of the Epstein files: The time has come - The Independent - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence calls for the release of the Epstein files: 'I've always believed in transparency' - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence pushes for release of the Epstein files: The time has come - Yahoo - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence says Trump "starting to realize Putin doesn't want peace" - CBS News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence has a message for Donald Trump about Jeffrey Epstein: 'Release all the files' - South Bend Tribune - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence makes stunning demand of Trump admin: The time has come - NJ.com - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence has a message for Donald Trump about Jeffrey Epstein: 'Release all the files' - Yahoo - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence says the time has come for Trump to release the Epstein files - Global News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Says It Was Tariffs On Tea That Led To The American Revolution, Reiterates Only Congress Can Impose Such Levies - Benzinga - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence pushes for release of the Epstein files: The time has come - MSN - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Firing Line with Margaret Hoover kicks off eighth season on PBS with Mike Pence - PR Newswire - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Says Trump's Tariff Escalations With US Allies Are Like 'Dismissing Your Front Line In A Football Game' - Benzinga - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- 'Jeopardizes All Of It': Ex-Mike Pence Aide Knocks Trump Over These 'Confusing' Moves - HuffPost - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- JD Vance Wonders If Other VPs Had This Much Excitement Social Media Says, Ask Mike Pence - Yahoo News Singapore - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- "My Respect For VP Pence Continues To Grow": People Are Applauding Mike Pence For Writing A Letter To A January 6 Rioter Who Refused Trump's... - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- 'Shows your commitment to rule of law': Trump's ex-VP Mike Pence applauds woman who refused pardon for Ja - Times of India - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- People Can't Believe They Actually Agree With Mike Pence After He Wrote A Letter To A Jan 6 Rioter - BuzzFeed - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Mike Pence writes letter to Jan 6 rioter praising her for refusing to take Trumps pardon - MSN - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Mike Pence reveals whether he plans to run in 2028 - Yahoo - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Former Vice President Mike Pence parts ways with Trump on tariff policy - WRAL.com - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence criticizes Trump on tariffs and key foreign policy issues as he watches from afar - NBC News - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence reveals whether he plans to run in 2028 - The Independent - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence warns of risk of Trump accepting a plane from nation linked to Hamas - The Independent - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence ramps up Trump disapproval with 13 words slamming overseas trip - The Mirror US - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Would former VP Mike Pence ever run for office again? Here's what he said - IndyStar - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Sounds Terror Alert on Trumps Free Plane - The Daily Beast - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- How Mike Pence says he came to the conclusion he should part ways with Trump - MSN - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence criticizes Trump on tariffs and key foreign policy issues as he watches from afar - Straight Arrow News - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Trump's Middle East Trip Draws Rare Praise From Mike Pence As 'Very Successful' For US Economy Amid 'Historic' Boeing Deal: 'That'll Really Support... - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence says Trump tariffs were the largest peacetime tax hike in U.S. history - MSN - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Says This Trump Policy Could Kill The American Dream - HuffPost - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence receives award for defending democracy from Trump without mentioning his name - MSN - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Former Vice President Mike Pence urges President Trump and congressional Republicans not to raise taxes on wealthy Americans - Fox News - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence rebukes Trump over tariffs and wavering support for Ukraine - The Guardian - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Finally Goes Scorched Earth on Trump and His Agenda - The Daily Beast - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]