Pelosi said she wanted to punch Trump when the January 6 riots began, video shows
For about 14 months, the committee analyzed what happened on a day that began with a joint session of Congress to formalize Joe Biden’s victory as president. But the clips offer a particularly intimate look at the frustration and confusion of senior lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties that day.
In the new footage, Pelosi is depicted watching the crowds swell near the Capitol. By noon that day, Trump had delivered a speech attempting to confirm Biden’s victory and declaring that he would march into the area with his supporters.
“Tell him that when he comes here, we’ll go to the White House,” Pelosi says with a laugh.
A senior aide to Pelosi later tells the speaker, about the time the protesters started to miss out on the Capitol, that Secret Service had persuaded Trump not to come to the Capitol.
“I hope he comes. I want to knock him out,” Pelosi says, gesturing with her palm. “This is my moment. I’ve been waiting for this. Before entering the Capitol grounds. I want to knock him out , and I’ll go to jail, and I’ll be happy.”
Later, when Pelosi evacuates the Capitol, she asks staffers if the National Guard had been called. On her way out, she says, “If they stop the proceedings, they will have succeeded in stopping the validation of the President of the United States… We will have totally failed.”
Pelosi, senior lawmakers and their staff are then taken to Fort McNair, a military post near the Capitol. The clips show lawmakers phoning federal and local government leaders asking for more security personnel.
The videos indicate that Pelosi had quickly asked for the National Guard on Jan. 6, contrary to suggestions from several Republicans that she had delayed their response. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) had also expressed doubts about Pelosi’s actions during the riots, but footage aired during Thursday’s committee hearing shows him sitting next to her and incoming Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (DN.Y.) state. Fort McNair as they urge the security forces to respond.
“DC has asked the National Guard and it has been refused by [the Pentagon]. I’d like to know a good… reason why it was denied,” Schumer says in a CNN clip, using an expletive as he spoke on the phone with Ryan McCarthy, then Army secretary.
“Please, the whole Capitol is in turmoil… We need them quickly. I’ve never seen anything like it,” added Schumer, who was close to Pelosi.
In another clip, Pelosi speaks on the phone with Vice President Mike Pence, who was hiding under the Capitol. That day, a crowd chanted “Hang Mike Pence!” called. while Trump urged him to reverse the results of the 2020 presidential election — authority that Pence lacked.
“I’m worried you’re in that Capitol,” Pelosi told the vice president. “Don’t let anyone know where you are.”
Another video, filmed around 4:17 p.m., shows lawmakers in Fort McNair using a Trump video message to urge insurgents to go home. “This was a fraudulent election, but we can’t play into these people’s hands,” Trump said. “We must have peace. So go home, we love you – you are very special.”
A frustrated Schumer points to what appears to be a television and says: “We’re putting out a statement saying he has to make a statement, and he’s coming with this BS”
Pelosi responds: “Rebellion. That is a crime and he is guilty of it.”