Secret Service official who worked in Trump White House retires 2 days before Jan. 6 interview

Secret Service Deputy Director Tony Ornato, a key figure in the House Jan. 6 Committee investigation, retired Monday "to pursue a career in the private sector" after "25 years of faithful service to my country," he said in a statement. In an unusual move, Ornato took a position as deputy White House chief of staff for operations — a political role — during the last two years of former President Donald Trump's presidency, then returned to the Secret Service last year. Before joining the White House he was head of Trump's protective detail.

Ornato gained national attention when former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson recounted in public testimony that Ornato told her Trump had tried to force his Secret Service detail to drive him to the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, siege by Trump supporters. "Although Ornato quickly signaled he was willing to testify in response to Hutchinson's account, he has yet to appear for a new interview with the select committee," Politico reports, citing two people familiar with the discussions. He testified before the committee twice earlier, in January and March.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.