Newly released video footage reveals former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi privately admitting to a significant security failure during the Jan. 6 Capitol unrest, while publicly shifting the blame onto then-President Donald Trump. The footage, captured by Pelosi’s daughter, shows the Speaker conceding that the National Guard should have been called in sooner. “We have totally failed,” Pelosi is heard saying, acknowledging the lapse in security.
However, Pelosi’s moment of introspection was short-lived. Almost immediately, she began discussing how to use the crisis to target Trump. As the events of Jan. 6 unfolded, Pelosi focused on ensuring the swift certification of Joe Biden’s presidency. Once that goal was achieved, she turned her attention to Trump, declaring, “He’s got to pay a price for that,” referring to the chaos that had engulfed the Capitol.
This 50-minute footage, reviewed by POLITICO and now in the hands of the Republican-led House Committee on Administration, offers new insights into Pelosi’s actions and thoughts during the Capitol breach. Critics have long argued that Pelosi, as Speaker, was responsible for Capitol security and should be held accountable for the failures of that day. The video adds weight to these criticisms, showing Pelosi acknowledging her role but ultimately blaming Trump.
Pelosi’s comments, coupled with her efforts to form the January 6 Select Committee, reveal her determination to shift the narrative and hold Trump solely responsible. Yet, the footage also exposes the internal discussions about who should bear the blame for the security breakdown, with Pelosi eventually zeroing in on Trump, despite his call for peaceful protest.
