The secret service official at the center of the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6 capitol riot has retired.
Tony Ornato, the US Secret Service Assistant Director who also served as a top aide in Donald Trump’s White House, confirmed to CNN that he is leaving the agency to pursue a career in the private sector.
“I did retire today to pursue a career in the private sector. I retired from the U.S. Secret Service after more than 25 years of faithful service to my country, including serving the past five presidents. I long-planned to retire and have been planning this transition for more than a year,” Ornato said.
A spokesperson for the secret service, Anthony Guglielmi confirmed Ornato’s departure and said he leaves the agency in good standing.
Ornato made headlines earlier this summer after the testimony of former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson. Hutchinson told the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot that Ornato told her that Trump was “irate” when Robert Engel, the special agent in charge for Secret Service at the time, told him that he could not go to the Capitol that day.
Hutchinson also testified that Ornato told her that Trump lunged at a member of his protective detail and grabbed the steering wheel of the presidential SUV as he demanded to be taken to the Capitol.
Ornato has reportedly said he is willing to dispute Hutchinson’s testimony under oath, but has not testified to the committee since Hutchinson’s bombshell testimony.
