A newly released video of Nancy Pelosi during the January 6 Capitol riots has sparked controversy among supporters of former President Donald Trump.
As reported by Newsweek, Pelosi can be heard expressing frustration in the clip about the lack of preparedness for the riots and questioning why the National Guard wasn't present from the start.
The video was part of documentary footage turned over to the Republican-led House Committee on Administration. The footage, which shows Pelosi being evacuated from the House floor, has led to claims that it vindicates Trump's assertions about the events of that day.
This has prompted many MAGA supporters to argue that Trump's previous statements about offering National Guard troops were correct, despite denials from Pelosi and former acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller.
The video, which was shot by Pelosi's daughter, Alexandra, for an HBO documentary, shows the then-House Speaker being escorted from the House floor by security personnel. In the footage, Pelosi appears to criticize the lack of readiness for the situation, saying:
We're calling the National Guard, now? It should've been here to start out. I just don't understand it. Why do we empower people this way by not being ready?
Trump supporters and conservative commentators have seized upon these comments as evidence that Pelosi bears responsibility for the security failures on January 6. Many have taken to social media to express their views on the matter.
The release of this footage has reignited debates about the events of January 6 and the responsibility for the security breakdown at the Capitol. Conservative media personalities and MAGA supporters have been quick to interpret Pelosi's words as an admission of fault.
Tim Young, a conservative media personality and comedian, posted on social media: "Trump was right … AGAIN. In this J6 footage, Pelosi admits it was HER FAULT that the Capitol was not secured." Similar sentiments were echoed by Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, who stated, "Pelosi failed on J6. She admits it in newly unearthed footage."
Alexandra Pelosi, daughter of Nancy Pelosi, offered insight into the viral video featuring her mother. She addressed the matter with The Hill, emphasizing the skill involved in the footage.
Alexandra also took the opportunity to promote her documentary about Nancy Pelosi, encouraging viewers to watch "Pelosi in The House" on HBO for a more comprehensive understanding of her mother's work.
Pelosi herself has previously addressed similar footage that emerged in June 2024. During an appearance on MSNBC's "Deadline: White House," she pushed back against attempts to revise the narrative of January 6, stating:
The fact is that the president of the United States, the former president and his 'toties' do not want to face the facts. They're trying to do revisionist history on Jan. 6, but we cannot let us be dragged into their, again, false impression of what happened that day.
The emergence of this new footage has reignited debates about the events of January 6, 2021. It has provided fuel for Trump supporters who claim it vindicates the former president's assertions about offering National Guard troops. However, Pelosi and her team maintain that these interpretations are attempts at revisionist history.
The ongoing investigations by the Republican-led House Committee on Administration continue to scrutinize the security failures of that day, with both sides of the political aisle offering differing narratives about responsibility and preparedness.
