Newly surfaced footage from the day following the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection reveals then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) firm stance on prioritizing the examination of former President Trump’s involvement in the chaos.
Captured by Pelosi’s daughter, a documentary filmmaker, and later released by HBO and obtained by CNN, the footage underscores Pelosi’s insistence on maintaining focus on Trump rather than being sidetracked by calls to fire U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund.
In a conversation with her communications director, Pelosi emphasized that Sund’s removal should not overshadow the critical need to address Trump’s role in inciting the riot. She firmly stated, “Our focus has to be on the president. Let’s not divert ourselves,” further clarifying that dealing with Sund’s fate should not be equated with the gravity of the insurrection and its repercussion.
Pelosi emphasizes priority of addressing Trump’s involvement over calls to fire Capitol Police Chief Sund
The video, spanning nearly an hour, chronicles Pelosi’s actions on January 5, 6, and 7, including her evacuation from the Capitol. In the early hours following the resumption of Congress to certify the election, Pelosi is seen expressing her deep distress over Trump’s actions, stating, “I just feel sick about what he did to the Capitol and to the country today. He’s gotta pay a price for that.” She also condemned Trump for neglecting his constitutional duty to protect the nation, labeling him as a “domestic enemy” within the White House.
Pelosi’s criticism extended beyond Trump as she questioned the delayed response of the National Guard and the lack of preparedness for the events of January 6. She expressed regret over not ensuring better readiness, admitting, “I feel responsible. We did not have any accountability for what was going on there, and we should have. This is ridiculous.”
Republicans have often attempted to blame Pelosi for security lapses that day, although the responsibility for Capitol security lies with the Capitol Police Board. Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), tasked with reviewing the January 6 attack, dismissed the HBO footage as offering nothing new, accusing Pelosi of deflecting blame onto Trump while avoiding accountability for security shortcomings.
