Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State and two-time presidential candidate, expressed her intention to pursue a defamation lawsuit on Tuesday. This follows her assertion made on January 6, 2021, that former President Trump “urged his supporters to attack Congress and the Capitol.”
“Five years ago today, Donald Trump encouraged his supporters to attack Congress and the Capitol over proven lies,” Clinton posted on X. “Over 140 police officers were injured. Trump then pardoned the attackers. He betrayed his oath and his country. We will never forget it.”
However, the facts tell a different story. On January 6, 2021, Trump actually called for peace and requested additional National Guard troops to safeguard the Capitol—a request that was ultimately denied by then-House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Trump’s actual words that day were:
“I know everyone here will soon be marching to the Capitol to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.”
Furthermore, it was Pelosi who allowed the Capitol to be left vulnerable, despite Trump’s request for her to send in the National Guard prior to her speech on that day. As the Speaker of the House, that responsibility was hers, and she decided against it. In fact, there is footage where she acknowledged her failure in this regard.
The video bolstered Trump’s claim that Pelosi was responsible for not ensuring adequate security ahead of the protests. His request to mobilize the National Guard six days before the “Stop the Steal” rally was turned down, and critics later chastised him for not intervening sooner during the riot.
In that video, Pelosi is heard saying, “We are responsible… There was no accountability for what was going on there. And we should have been… Why wasn’t the National Guard there to begin with?”
She went on to add, “I am responsible for not having them ready.” And then she mentioned something about being prepared for conflict.
Importantly, Trump never called for anyone to “attack Congress and the Capitol,” as Clinton suggested. This could potentially expose her to a defamation lawsuit, which, as we have seen, Trump is more than willing to pursue.
He should consider taking action against her. Misrepresentations and false narratives regarding January 6 must be addressed.
Clinton might even welcome a defamation lawsuit. It’s hard to imagine what you do to fill the time otherwise, like binge-watching old shows and pondering where your partner is.
