Secret Service official who was a subject of Jan. 6 hearings retires from agency

Former President Donald Trump's deputy chief of staff, Secret Service Assistant Director Tony Ornato, has left the agency after 25 years, the Service Service confirmed to The Hill.

Ornato became Trump's deputy chief of staff in 2019, an unusual appointment for someone on his career path, the outlet noted. He rose to greater national interest during the Jan. 6 hearings.

Cassidy Hutchinson, who testified before the committee investigating the Capitol riot, said she learned of an incident from Ornato in which then-President Trump reportedly reached for the steering wheel of a vehicle after being told he could not go to the Capitol building the day of the riot.

Following Hutchinson's testimony, Ornato indicated his willingness to contest the account under oath, but has not yet done so, according to The Hill.

His departure follows the Jan. 6 committee's looking into the agency's response to the Capitol riot. Director James Murray announced he would briefly delay is own retirement amid the probe. President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced that Kimberly Cheatle would replace Murray.