NASHVILLE – U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty’s former spokesman departed his job a day before his video testimony about then-President Donald Trump and the events of Jan. 6, 2021, was played before the U.S. House’s Jan. 6 committee investigating the attack on the Capitol.
But the former spokesman said the two events are a coincidence.
“My resignation was in no way related to the Jan. 6 committee,” Judd Deere, who before coming to work for Hagerty last year served in the White House as Trump’s deputy press secretary, told the Chattanooga Times Free Press on Wednesday in an email. “I certainly had no advance knowledge that they would play a portion of my testimony [Tuesday].
“It was simply coincidence,” added Deere, who was interviewed by the House panel in March.
Deere was among several former Trump White House officials whose testimony was released by the House panel investigating the events leading up to the attack by Trump supporters who descended on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 as electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election, which Trump lost, were being counted. The attack on the Capitol disrupted proceedings for hours.
Deere and other staffers gathered with Trump on Jan. 5.
“My personal view was that the Electoral College had met, which is the system that our country is set under to elect a president and vice president,” Deere said in response to an unidentified interviewer’s question about what he had said to Trump about the upcoming events planned for Jan. 6. “And I believed at that point that the means for him to pursue litigation was probably closed.”
Trump’s response?
“He disagreed,” Deere said.
Deere said Trump also asked if he thought “members of Congress would be with him tomorrow.”
“And what did you understand by – meaning voting in his favor as opposed to physically with him or anything like that?” the interviewer asked.
“I took that to mean not voting to certify the election,” Deere said.
In an email Deere sent to reporters Monday, he said when he left the White House on Jan. 20, 2021, he had no idea what he wanted to do next.
“Fortunately, President Trump had a talented former U.S. ambassador to Japan who had just been elected to the Senate,” Deere said. “I didn’t know much about Sen. Hagerty when I went to work for him, but let me tell you what I have learned: The senator is humble, kind and brings a wealth of experience and expertise in international affairs and business. He is committed to putting America first.
“He loves his family, and he loves the people of Tennessee. I’m very fortunate that the senator gave me this opportunity. He’s built one of the most talented teams I’ve ever worked with, and I have no doubt that Sen. Hagerty has a long career in public service ahead of him, which is good for our country.”
Deere said later on social media, “I’m taking some time off and going to enjoy not having a second phone for a bit, but I’ll have an announcement soon about what’s next for me.”
Hagerty, who was elected to the Senate in 2018 with Trump’s full-throated support, praised Deere in a statement.
“Judd was an outstanding employee and is an even better person and friend,” the statement said. “He is highly respected by all who know him, and I’m extraordinarily grateful that he served as a member of my Senate staff. He is a true talent and always conducts himself with the utmost integrity and professionalism. I look forward to seeing him go forth and accomplish many wonderful and big things in his bright future.”
Hagerty and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, had both planned to vote against the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory but ultimately did not in the wake of the Jan. 6 violence.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow him on Twitter @AndySher1.