Pelosi Combats Criticism Over January 6th Response

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) confronted a reporter questioning her decision not to activate the National Guard for her safety during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. As she navigated the Capitol steps, she abruptly turned to a Lindell TV journalist, visibly upset by implications that the new Republican-led inquiry might hold her accountable.

“Shut up!” Pelosi, 85, exclaimed vehemently. “I didn’t refuse to send in the National Guard. The president didn’t send them in. Why come here with Republican talking points as if you’re a serious journalist?”

In a report by House Republicans from 2022, it was noted that Democratic leaders expressed concerns regarding the implications of keeping the National Guard at the Capitol after the summer 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.

Additionally, footage released last year by the Republican-led House Administration Committee showed Pelosi acknowledging that she might have needed to take stronger measures to secure the Capitol during the events of January 6th. Captured by her daughter for an HBO documentary, Pelosi was recorded saying, “We completely failed. We need to accept some responsibility for not holding the security personnel accountable for what could have happened.”

“Oh my god, I can’t believe this stupidity. I take full responsibility,” she stated, reflecting her frustration.

In other segments of the footage, she criticized an aide for suggesting the need to call in the National Guard amid the chaos. “You’re going to ask if I should contact Capitol Police when they’ve already broken the first rule? You mean the National Guard. Why wasn’t the National Guard there in the first place?” she questioned.

When the aide remarked that the National Guard had “adequate resources,” Pelosi countered, “It doesn’t matter how they had it… They clearly didn’t know. I am accountable for not ensuring they were better prepared.”

Led by Congressman Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), a new subcommittee formed under the House Judiciary Committee is reviewing the Capitol riot. Loudermilk remarked in a statement that Democrats appear to be focused on political maneuvering, while Republicans aim to uncover the facts objectively: “The American people deserve a comprehensive understanding of the security lapses that occurred on January 6th to prevent such failures in the future.”

In December 2022, following an 18-month investigation, the task force set up by Pelosi released an 814-page report alleging that President Trump committed criminal “multiple conspiracies” to overturn the results of the 2020 election.