A newly surfaced transcript of an interview conducted by a U.S. House of Representatives panel investigating the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol has shed light on crucial details previously undisclosed. Anthony Ornato, the former White House deputy chief of staff during the breach, provided testimony that challenges the narrative put forth by the committee.
According to the revealed transcript, Ornato overheard Mark Meadows, then the White House chief of staff, conversing with Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser. Meadows reportedly sought to ensure that Bowser had sufficient resources, including National Guard troops, offering up to 10,000 personnel if needed. Ornato’s testimony contradicts the committee’s earlier assertions and adds a new dimension to the understanding of events leading up to the breach.
The release of this transcript has sparked controversy, with Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) accusing the House Select Committee of withholding critical witness testimony that contradicted their predetermined narrative. Loudermilk’s statement underscores the significance of Ornato’s testimony, affirming claims made by Meadows and President Trump regarding the offer of National Guard support.
President Trump, in previous statements, affirmed that he had indeed suggested deploying 10,000 National Guard troops to secure the Capitol. These assertions were corroborated by Christopher C. Miller, the former acting secretary of defense, who recounted a meeting where Trump emphasized the need for a sizable Guard presence. However, Miller later clarified that there was no direct order from the president.
The Pentagon’s involvement in the events leading up to January 6th is also under scrutiny. While Mayor Bowser initially requested Guard support for the rally, subsequent decisions regarding troop deployment became contentious. Defense officials approved the activation of 340 Guard members initially, but Bowser declined additional assistance until the situation escalated on the day of the breach.
Former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund’s testimony adds further complexity to the narrative, alleging that House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving rejected requests for Guard assistance citing concerns over optics and intelligence. Irving has refuted these claims, asserting that security decisions were not influenced by optics.
Ornato’s testimony paints a picture of White House officials’ persistent efforts to deploy Guard personnel throughout the day of the breach, despite delays in their arrival at the Capitol. Meadows, according to Ornato, repeatedly inquired about the status of the deployment, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
However, discrepancies remain regarding the extent of President Trump’s involvement in authorizing Guard deployment. Kash Patel, a former chief of staff to Christopher Miller, testified that Trump authorized up to 20,000 Guard troops, but this claim lacked substantiating evidence. Patel clarified that while Trump could authorize troop deployment, he could not issue direct orders for their deployment.
The release of the Ornato transcript has reignited debates surrounding the January 6th Capitol breach and the actions of the House Select Committee. Former Rep. Liz Cheney’s response underscores the partisan nature of the discourse, with divergent interpretations of the committee’s actions and conclusions.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the Capitol breach, the revelation of previously undisclosed testimony underscores the complexity of the events and the challenges in reconciling differing accounts. Moving forward, a thorough and transparent investigation remains imperative to understanding the full scope of what transpired on January 6, 2021.