In a groundbreaking report, CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins has revealed exclusive details regarding the focus of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into the infamous Oval Office meeting. The meeting, which took place on December 18, 2020, attracted significant attention due to its chaotic nature and the outlandish suggestions made by attendees, including former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn, attorney Sidney Powell, and former CEO of Overstock.com, Patrick Byrne.
Collins, along with a team of esteemed journalists including Zachary Cohen, Paula Reid, Sara Murray, and Katelyn Polantz, delved into the details of the meeting, highlighting the alarming proposals that were discussed. One of the most shocking ideas raised was the consideration of declaring martial law to retain power, a move that sent shockwaves through the political landscape. Additionally, there was talk of having the U.S. military seize voting machines, a notion that struck at the heart of democratic principles.
The revelations from this meeting have sparked renewed interest and urgency in Jack Smith’s investigation, which is believed to be nearing its conclusion. Smith and his team have reportedly shown a heightened focus on uncovering the truth surrounding this pivotal gathering within the Oval Office. The investigation has sought information from witnesses, including Rudy Giuliani, who voluntarily appeared before the investigators over the course of two consecutive days.
Federal investigators have extensively questioned witnesses about the tumultuous meeting, probing for insights into the discussions that transpired. Giuliani, in particular, faced inquiries about the events of that day, shedding light on the atmosphere and the involvement of key figures such as Sidney Powell, Mike Flynn, and Patrick Byrne. The testimonies provided during these interviews have the potential to significantly impact the trajectory of the investigation and potentially expose the motives and intentions of those involved.
The significance of this meeting cannot be overstated, as it occurred just four days after the Electoral College had officially declared Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election. The timing raises questions about the participants’ motivations and their attempts to challenge the democratic process. Notably, following the conclusion of the meeting, former President Donald Trump tweeted about the upcoming January 6 rally, ominously stating that it would be “wild.”
KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN HOST: Good evening. I’m Kaitlan Collins.
And, tonight, we are learning more about what the special counsel, Jack Smith, is zooming in on in what is believed to be the closing stretch of his January 6 investigation. This is exclusive reporting tonight, new reporting on CNN.
Our sources are telling us that Jack Smith and his team have signaled a continued and seemingly renewed interest in what was one of the most chaotic meetings to ever happen inside the Oval Office. This was December 18 in 2020, six weeks after Trump had lost that election, as the lawyer Sidney Powell, Trump’s former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn, and the former CEO of Overstock.com floated some of the most desperate suggestions to keep Trump in power.
Martial law was brought up. So was the proposal to have the U.S. military seize voting machines. You may remember hearing about it from the people who were there and later testified before the January 6 congressional committee.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAT CIPOLLONE, FORMER TRUMP WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL: I was not happy to see the people in the Oval Office.
QUESTION: Explain why.
CIPOLLONE: I don’t think — I don’t think any of these people were providing the president with good advice.
DEREK LYONS, FORMER WHITE HOUSE STAFF SECRETARY: I mean, at times, there were people shouting at each other, hurling insults at each other.
SIDNEY POWELL, FORMER ATTORNEY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP: Cipollone and Herschmann and whoever the other guy was showed nothing but contempt and disdain of the president.
ERIC HERSCHMANN, FORMER WHITE HOUSE ATTORNEY: I think that it got to the point where the screaming was completely, completely out there.
RUDY GIULIANI, FORMER ATTORNEY FOR PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I’m going to — I’m going to categorically describe it as: “You guys are not tough enough.”
Or maybe I put it another way, “You’re a bunch of (EXPLETIVE DELETED).”
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Tonight, we are learning that federal investigators are asking about that very meeting. And they have asked several witnesses about it, including Rudy Giuliani when he sat down with them voluntarily last month.
We are told that was in two back-to-back days where Giuliani went before them. He was asked about multiple incidents, but that was one of them. They have also asked about those outsiders that were there, as I noted, Sidney Powell, Mike Flynn, the former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne.
This meeting is also notable because it came four days after members of the Electoral College met in all 50 states to officially cast their ballots, declaring that Joe Biden was indeed the winner. After that chaotic meeting, as it ended late into the evening, that was when Trump sent this tweet about the January 6 rally that was going to happen in just a few weeks, saying it “will be wild.”
