In Cassidy Hutchinson, the House select committee on January 6 has found its most compelling witness to date.

Hutchinson, an aide to for- mer White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, gave the committee and the American public a historically unrivaled look at a president unhinged, enraged and apparently willing to cross any line to remain in power. She provided a riveting firsthand look at wrongdoing by an astonishing range of powerful people, up to and including former President Donald Trump.

Hutchinson’s testimony landed like a bomb. She addressed several of the most pressing questions before the committee, including who knew what and who did what during the crucial moments before and during the January 6 Capitol attack. Hutchinson made clear that Trump did plan to go to the Capitol as the riot was unfolding on January6, and testified that she was told he had lashed out physically -- at one point grabbing for the steering wheel of his armored vehicle and then lunging at a Secret Service agent -- when he was told he could not go.

She testified that White House lawyer Pat Cipollone expressed concern that White House officials would get charged with various federal crimes including obstruction of justice, obstruction of the electoral count in Congress and inciting a riot. The President’s key legal adviser recognized that his conduct likely could be charged as criminal.