Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) claimed on CBS's “Face the Nation” Sunday that President-elect Donald Trump's violent rhetoric has not stopped and led to the hammer attack on her husband, Paul. .
MARGARET BRENNAN: As you know, tomorrow morning you and other members of Congress will be at the Capitol to certify Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 election. The unprecedented level of security is due in part to a violent attack by supporters four years ago in an attempt to change the outcome of the last election. Why do you think so many Americans decided that was not disqualifying him in re-electing him as president?
PELOSI: Well, again, thank you for the opportunity to talk about this. Because the denial they had about the election, that they were acting on it, and the denial they've had since then about what happened from January to January. 6 is just scary. They want to revise history. And they just can't do it. But I'm very happy that they have stepped up security and the public knows that too, so I hope this situation will be very peaceful. Now, to your question, I'm not saying that the American people ignored this, I don't think so. They just had different views on what was in their interest, financially and otherwise. So I'm not – I wouldn't call this a disregard for January 6th. I'm just calling this what they consider economically beneficial.
BRENNAN: Just last night at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump was showing a documentary about the 2020 election, trying to claim victory and talk about his legal problems. Efforts to claim he won in 2020 appear to be continuing.
Pelosi: It's really sad. It's really sad. I don't know about the movies he's had or any other movies, but it's – it's almost sickening that he would even think that in 2020. It's clear because he won the election now – it's clear, and it's clear that tomorrow he's going to accept the results of the Electoral College. So he should be feeling triumphant about it. But it's really sad that even though you know you've lost, you still try to keep fighting.
BRENNAN: As you know, the president-elect said in the first nine minutes of his new term that he would pardon many of the people who took part in the events of January 6th. He said it would be considered on a case-by-case basis. , but when we look back at what happened four years ago, there is audio and video evidence of what happened. This is personal to you, the mobsters in your office. I will chant your name. One of them, one of the defendants, said, “I was looking for Nancy's super brain, trying to shoot her, but I couldn't find it.'' For you, this is personal. So when you hear about amnesty, do you think non-violent aggressors deserve it?
Pelosi: A non-violent person – I think it's a violent aggressor with intent –
BRENNAN: – Violence itself.
Pelosi: Yeah…
Brennan: –Violent language.
Pelosi: Violent language, yes, the intent. And, of course, there is the intention to attack the Vice President of the United States. Well, the day wasn't over. You know, he called on these people to continue the violence. My husband was the victim in all of them and still carries injuries from those attacks. So it goes on and on. It's not something that happens and ends. No, once you are attacked, the effects last. So I'm not. It would be a really strange person to be president of the United States who would think it's okay to pardon people involved in attacks. But come on, let's do this. Let's say it's okay to the American people. This is what it is about. Don’t be fooled by the denial of the 2020 election. Why would he say that? But he is–but he is. Add to that the denial of what happened on January 6th.
BRENNAN: But some of the 1,600 defendants here were actually charged with just trespassing. If you look at the profile, a University of Chicago study found that half of the people who breached the Capitol were white-collar workers. They were small business owners. They don't necessarily have a criminal record. If you look at that profile, you stated your intentions. It's — you think the intent itself, rather than the crime, needs to be considered. You know it puts a different light on the crime of trespassing itself.
PELOSI: Well, the president said it would be handled on a case-by-case basis. So I suspect that some of those people may not be participating in the same acts of violence that others did. Look at this beautiful Capitol, the dome built by Lincoln. Under Lincoln's leadership during the Civil War, we were told not to build domes. They said the war effort required a great deal of steel, manpower, and human resources. And he said, “No, I have to show American resiliency.” And I saw a flag under that dome, you know, a terrible flag under the Lincoln dome. It was a tragedy and we cannot deny what it was. If the president is going to deal with it on a case-by-case basis, I hope he does, and maybe–
Brennan: –Trespassers, would you be willing to be pardoned?
Pelosi: Well, it depends on how they define what that is. But, even, some of that encouragement and the follow-up, including me, coming to my house, looking for me, finding my husband, and, as I say, still suffering. I know that so many people have been threatened, including people. From that day on, I suffered a head injury. So these things don't just happen and go away when you have a head injury. But in any case, beyond me, when you look at the threats to so many people who hold elected office, choosing to hold public office should not be a threat to your family.
