Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into the January 6 Capitol riot has unearthed critical details about former President Donald Trump’s response, or lack thereof, to the violence. Sources familiar with the probe have disclosed information from Dan Scavino, Trump’s former deputy chief of staff. Scavino, who started working with Trump three decades ago, provided key testimony to Smith’s team after a judge dismissed claims of executive privilege. His insights reveal that Trump appeared disinterested in curbing the violence as it escalated.
Notably, Scavino recounted to investigators Trump’s reaction to being informed about then-Vice President Mike Pence’s emergency evacuation. According to former Trump aide Nick Luna, Trump dismissively responded with, “So what?” This response has been interpreted as a surprising indifference to the potential harm facing Pence, a long-time loyalist. This revelation aligns with House Democrats’ accusations against Trump for his moral and duty dereliction on that day.
Moreover, the probe delved into the actions and attitudes of Trump’s inner circle, including Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, White House counsel Pat Cipollone, and his deputy, Pat Philbin. As rioters stormed the Capitol, these aides implored Trump to intervene. However, Trump reportedly remained fixated on the claim that the election was stolen from him and his supporters. Scavino described the situation as “very unsettling.” Trump reportedly sat in silence, watching the events unfold on television, and eventually tweeted a message about Pence lacking courage, surprising even his aides.
The investigation also underscores Trump’s reluctance to explicitly instruct rioters to leave the Capitol, despite various attempts by his aides and family members to persuade him. Over time, at the urging of his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, Trump agreed to record a video calling for peace. However, the House committee’s report noted that this action came several hours after the attack began.
The special counsel’s findings paint a picture of a president seemingly unresponsive to the immediate crisis, focusing instead on his grievances about the election. This stance has continued to shape Trump’s public narrative about the events of January 6.
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