Secret Service official at center of testimony about Trump's actions on Jan. 6 retires
CBSDec 24, 2022
The Facts
The senior Secret Service official who served as a top aide in Donald Trump's White House, Tony Ornato, announced his retirement on Monday.
According to a statement, Ornato's exit was "long-planned," and he's leaving to "pursue a career in the private sector." He had been under intense investigation by the Jan. 6 committee, and his retirement potentially complicates an aspect of the panel's inquiry.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Ornato's departure raises a variety of questions. It seems that the official is loyal to Trump and clearly retired as a strategic move to complicate the Jan. 6 committee's investigation. The committee was already skeptical of his assertions during previous testimonies and now they have proof that he is trying to obstruct the investigation.
Pro-Trump narrative
Ornato has served his country for 25 years and his retirement had been planned long before this announcement. He has already met with the committee twice before and has denied Hutchinson's allegations.