A video of Richard donoghue describing a meeting at the white house on New Year's eve.
The president was much more agitated than he had been in the meeting on the 15th. He discussed a variety of election matters. He did say, "this sounds like the kind of thing that would warrant the appointment of a special counsel." There was a point at which the president said something about, "Why don't you guys seize machines?"
Rep. Kinzinger to Jeff Rosen:
Q: The president asked you to seize voting machines from state governemnts. What was your response to that request?
A: We had seen nothing improper with regard to the voting machines. I told him that the real experts at that had been the DHS. They had briefed us that they had looked at it and there was nothing wrong with the voting machines. So, that was not something that was appropriate to do.
Q: No factual basis to seize machines?
A: I don't think there was legal authority, either.
Rep. Kinzinger to Richard Donoghue:
Q: Can you explain what the president did after he was told that the DoJ would not seize voting machines?
A: The president was very agitated by the acting AG's response and tot he extnet that machines and the technology was being discussed, the acting AG said that the DHS had expertise in machines, and certifying them to make sure that the states were operating them properly. Since DHS had been mentioned, the president yelled out to the secretary, "Get Ken Cuccinelli on the phone," which she did in short order. Mr. Cuccinelli was on the phone. He was the #2 at the DHS at the time. It was on speakerphone and the president essentially said, "Ken, I'm on the phone with the acting AG. He just told me it's your job to seize machines and you're not doing your job. And Mr. Cuccinelli responded.
Rep. Kinzinger to Jeff Rosen:
Q: Did you ever tell the president that the DHS could seize voting machines?
A: No, certainly not.
Rep Kinzinger to Richard Donoghue:
Q: During this meeting, did the president tell you that he would remove you and Mr. Rosen because you weren't declaring that there was election fraud?
A: Toward the end of the meeting, the president again was getting very agitated. He said "People tell me I should just get rid of both of you. I should just remove you and make a change in leadership to Jeff Clark and maybe something will finally get done." I responded, as I think I had earlier, in the December 27th call, "Mr. President, you should have the leadership that you want. But understand, the US DoJ functions of facts, evidence, and law. And those are not going to change. You can have whatever leadership you want, but the DoJ's position is not going to change."
Q: The president's white house counsel Pat Cippollone was also present. Do you remember what his position was?
A: Pat was very supportive. Pat Cippollone, throughout these conversations, was extremely supportive of the DoJ. He was consistent. I think he had an impossible job at that point, but he did it well. He always sided with the DoJ in these discussions.