Cassidy Hutchinson, once Chief of Staff to President Trump’s aide Mark Meadows, possesses a rare quality—unwavering honesty. During her recent interview with MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell, she vividly illustrated Trump’s volatile character, which is more revealing than expert analysis.
The conversation began with a Jan 6 Committee video featuring Hutchinson recounting Trump’s notorious tantrum in the White House private dining room, where he threw plates and expressed frustration after Attorney General Bill Barr confirmed no election rigging. O’Donnell inquired about similar incidents, to which Hutchinson responded:
“There are several, and that’s probably an understatement, Lawrence. Out of all the reasons to keep Donald Trump far from the Oval Office, his explosive temper, though seemingly minor, is reason enough. He should never have access to nuclear codes.”
She humorously suggested that Mar-a-Lago’s walls might be adorned with ketchup stains.
Presidents have been known for their tempers, including Barack Obama, who occasionally displayed frustration. However, the fear of an unhinged Commander-in-Chief initiating a nuclear war, as seen with a inebriated Richard Nixon, has rarely been as palpable.
During Nixon’s tenure, reports from Woodward and Bernstein indicated Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s concerns that “if the president had his way, we’d have a nuclear war every week.” Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger even advised generals not to follow Nixon’s orders without his approval.
In Trump’s case, the likelihood of level-headed Secretaries of State and Defense intervening is nonexistent.
O’Donnell also referenced Trump’s assertion that he would become a dictator on “day one” and questioned if it might be “day two” instead. Hutchinson replied:
“I believe Donald Trump poses a severe threat to American security and prosperity. Voting for Trump means supporting a fascist government that prioritizes authoritarianism over the rule of law. Trump’s statements should be taken seriously; everyone should believe what he says.”
Hutchinson emphasized the fragility of American democracy and hinted at the type of individuals Trump would appoint, along with sycophantic enablers.
“Our democracy is fragile, as demonstrated by the events of January 6th. We narrowly avoided losing our democracy and constitutional republic thanks to government officials who helped it endure. I doubt we would be as fortunate in a similar situation.”
O’Donnell then discussed a leaked list of prominent witnesses expected to testify in Trump’s Georgia election interference case.
Hutchinson, displaying rare commitment to integrity within conservative circles, affirmed her readiness to testify when called upon.
“If I am asked to testify in any of the trials, I will do so out of legal and moral duty to the courts and our legal system. It’s also a duty to the American people who need to know what transpired and make informed judgments.”
She expressed hopes that all individuals on the list would cooperate fully, although she harbored doubts about some. Hutchinson emphasized the need to elect responsible and trustworthy leaders in 2024 to safeguard the country.
O’Donnell later questioned Hutchinson about her former boss, Mark Meadows. She hesitated but fondly described him as a father and grandfather. She suggested that Meadows could rectify the record by testifying to the Department of Justice and other government bodies to escape Trump’s shadow.
The interview concluded with Hutchinson praising Liz Cheney’s book, “Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning,” calling it one of the most profound works of American literature. She believed scholars would study it alongside the Founding Fathers’ works.
Hutchinson’s soft-spoken demeanor conveyed a stark reality: voting for a self-proclaimed dictator means electing a fascist. The sobering truth is that such a scenario can transpire in the United States.
