“Donald Trump Is Not a Republican”: Cassidy Hutchinson Calls Out Bill Barr Over Claims He May Vote Trump

Jo ShawNov 28, 2023

Minute Read

Cassidy Hutchinson, a past White House aide from the Trump administration, recently joined Jen Psaki on MSNBC. During the show, she addressed a Washington Post article stating that former aides of Trump thought he was unfit for office but would still support him in a future election. Cassidy lashed out at Bill Barr, the former Secretary General, for expressing his intention to vote for Trump despite his concerns about his fitness for office.

Hutchinson Worked Under Mark Meadows

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During the Trump administration, Cassidy Hutchinson held the position of assistant to the former Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows. Bill Barr, the second individual in US history to serve two terms as Attorney General under the Trump administration, has recently declared his openness to voting for Trump if no alternative candidate is available.

Trump’s Former Aides Could Not Sway Public Opinion

On the MSNBC show, Jen Psaki delved into a Washington Post article discussing how Trump’s aides, despite issuing numerous warnings, found it challenging to influence public opinion about Trump.

Trump Voters Would Never Change Their Minds

Psaki asked Hutchinson if she found that revelation surprising. Hutchinson replied that she had mixed views, declaring that there was “a massive constituency of Trump voters who were never going to change their minds.”

Blinded to His Faults

“I was blinded to a lot of his faults,” admitted Hutchinson, stating her book was full of “unflattering truths” and things she wished she could change regarding her past. She asserted that she, too, had unwavering and steadfast support for Trump as well.

The Tone of the Conversation Needs to Change

She told Psaki that she now had “the hindsight” and could call attention to Trump’s flaws. “In 2024, we need to change the tone of the conversation,” she stated.

Help People to Understand

She clarified to Psaki that directly confronting people had an adverse effect, bolstering Trump’s backing. Instead of lecturing individuals about Trump’s shortcomings, she suggested it was more effective to facilitate understanding. She shared her experience of seeking independent legal counsel and the committee staff who, once she had distanced herself from the “Trump world,” assisted her in recognizing her mistakes.

I See It Clearly, He’s a Dangerous Man

Hutchinson stated, “ I see it clearly. I see that he’s a dangerous man. I see that he has severe character flaws, but those character flaws go one step further,”

Trump Should Be Nowhere Near the Oval Office

“His character flaws make him uniquely unsuitable for the office of the Presidency.” She added that Trump ”should be nowhere near the Oval Office ever again.”

Vote Biden for Democracy to Survive

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When Psaki asked how she would vote, she stated, “My door is completely shut to voting for Donald Trump.” She further declared that “everybody should vote for Joe Biden if they want our Democracy to survive.”

Helping the Democrats

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Psaki then shared a section of the Washington Post article that read that Trump’s former aides “say they don’t want Trump to be President again but are loathed to be viewed as helping a Democrat.” Among the members of that group was Bill Barr, Trump’s former attorney general. Barr, despite contending that Trump is unfit for office and may have committed crimes, has indicated a willingness to vote for him over a Democrat.

An Egregious Form of Partisanship

Psaki asked Hutchinson what she thought of Bill Barr’s statements. She responded, “There was a point that I felt that way too. I am not proud of that. But what I will say to that is that it is an egregious form of partisanship.” Hutchinson added. “Donald Trump is not a Republican. Yes, maybe by name, he considers himself a Republican. But Donald Trump cares more about the authoritarian role than he does the rule of law.”

Barr Has Previously Supported Indictments

An August CNN article reported that Barr had expressed his willingness to contemplate voting for Trump despite being a frequent target of Trump’s insults.

Barr on Trump’s First Amendment Rights

Barr disagreed when asked about Trump’s indictments and his lawyers’ arguments that he was merely exercising his freedom of speech. He told CNN, “I really don’t think that’s a valid argument because, as the indictment says, they’re not attacking his First Amendment right.” Barr continued, “He can say whatever he wants. He can even lie. He can even tell people that the election was stolen, when he knew better.”

Freedom of Speech Does Not Protect Against Conspiracy

Barr added, “But that does not protect you from entering into a conspiracy. All conspiracies involve speech. And all fraud involves speech. So, free speech doesn’t give you the right to engage in a fraudulent conspiracy.”

Barr Said He Believes Trump Lost

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Kaitlan Collins from CNN had also asked Barr if he believed Trump had lost the election. Barr responded, “Do I personally believe that? Yes, at first, I wasn’t sure. But I have come to believe that he knew well, that he had lost the election.”

Proved Beyond Reasonable Doubt

Barr also explained to CNN, “And now, what I think is important is the government has assumed the burden of proving that. The government, in their indictment, takes the position that he had actual knowledge that he had lost the election, and the election wasn’t stolen through fraud. And they’re going to have to prove that beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Barr Won’t Rule Out Voting for Trump

CNN asked Barr why he hadn’t ruled out voting for Trump in 2024 when Barr had previously stated that Trump should not be near the Oval Office.

Which One Would Do the Least Harm to the Country?

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Barr then declared in a choice between Biden and Trump, “My view is that if you feel that one of two people is going to be President, in other words, there’s no third option, one of two people are going to be President – then, at that point, you have to do your soul searching as to which one you think would do least harm to the country. And that’s the analysis that I would do.”