Trump knew crowd had guns when he urged march on Capitol'

Cassidy Hutchinson, a former Republican aide, testified yesterday that Donald Trump knew some of his supporters were armed when he urged the crowd to march to the Capitol on January 6.

- Lauren Gambino and Hugo Lowell

Appearing before the committee investigating the attack, Hutchinson testified that Trump had been told in advance of his speech that some individuals were armed with guns, bear spray and body armour. Nevertheless, Trump delivered an incendiary speech encouraging his supporters to march to the Capitol in a last-gasp effort to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden's victory.

She also said Trump intended to join his supporters on Capitol Hill despite concerns from his former White House counsel Pat Cipollone.

On Monday the committee abruptly scheduled a hearing for yesterday, after previously saying it would not hold any more hearings until next month. Opening the hearing, the committee's chair, congressman Bennie Thompson, said it was "important that the American people hear that information immediately".

It is the sixth public hearing held by the committee after a year-long investigation into the Capitol attack. Two more hearings are expected next month.