Trump was told protesters had weapons on January 6, former aide says

Cassidy Hutchinson, former aide to Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows (Andrew Harnik/AP)

A key aide in Donald Trump’s White House has told the House committee investigating the January 6 riots the former president was informed people rallying on the mall that morning had weapons but he told officials to “let my people in” and march to the US Capitol.

Cassidy Hutchinson quoted Mr Trump as directing his staff, in profane terms, to take away the magnetometers that he thought would slow down supporters who had gathered in Washington.