House Republicans have unveiled new video footage showing former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) admitting her failure to deploy the National Guard to protect the Capitol ahead of the January 6, 2021 protests. This footage, captured by Pelosi’s daughter, Alexandra Pelosi, was recently provided to congressional investigators by HBO. Despite its significance, it was never aired, nor was it submitted to the January 6 Committee during its investigation into the Capitol riot.
The January 6 Committee, notably, never subpoenaed Speaker Pelosi or her daughter for documents related to the riot. This omission raises questions about the committee’s thoroughness and impartiality, as the footage corroborates claims made by former President Donald Trump that Pelosi failed to ensure adequate security before the “Stop the Steal” rally. Trump had offered the National Guard in the days leading up to the event, but his offer was refused. Critics later faulted Trump for not deploying the Guard quickly enough during the riot.
In the video, Pelosi is heard saying, “We have responsibility… we did not have any accountability for what was going on there. And we should have.… Why weren’t the National Guard there to begin with?” She further admits, “I take responsibility for not having them [the National Guard] just prepare for war.” This admission directly contradicts the narrative pushed by the January 6 Committee and highlights Pelosi’s crucial role in the security failure.
Pelosi’s rejection of Republican nominees for the minority positions on the January 6 Committee, an unprecedented move in congressional history, resulted in a biased investigation. By hand-picking two anti-Trump Republicans, Pelosi ensured a one-sided inquiry that conveniently ignored her own accountability. This strategic exclusion prevented a comprehensive examination of all the events leading up to and during the Capitol riot.
Despite the committee’s partial investigation, prosecutors have utilized its findings in criminal cases against Trump and his supporters. The new footage underscores the importance of an unbiased and thorough investigation into the January 6 events, shedding light on Pelosi’s critical missteps and challenging the integrity of the January 6 Committee’s conclusions.
