Pelosi Takes Full Responsibility for Jan. 6 Security Failures, Admits ‘Stupidity’ in Newly Released Video

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has acknowledged that she should have done more to protect the U.S. Capitol from the January 6 rioters, according to newly released footage.

During the chaos, the videos, taken by her daughter, Alexandra Pelosi, show her repeatedly expressing regret over the lack of security measures as supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol.

New documentary footage shows then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi blaming herself for not doing more to secure the Capitol during the riot on Jan. 6, 2021. CNN

In the footage, Pelosi criticizes the security response and accepts responsibility for failing to adequately prepare for the attack. “We have totally failed. We have to take some responsibility for not holding the security accountable for what could have happened,” Pelosi is heard saying. She also expresses disbelief at the situation, stating, “Oh my god, I cannot believe the stupidity of this. And I take full responsibility.”

Pelosi said that Congress was not prepared for the riot and that National Guard should have been at the building “at the start.” James Keivom

The videos were made public by the Republican-led House Committee on Administration after being provided by HBO. They expand on previous footage released in June, showing Pelosi’s frustration with the lack of “accountability” and her acceptance of “responsibility” for the security lapses.

Pelosi is also seen questioning why the National Guard was not deployed sooner, despite earlier warnings and requests for preparedness. She criticizes her staff for not ensuring the Guard’s presence and expresses anger over the assumption that the rioters would “act civilized.”

One of the rioters sitting at Pelosi’s desk in the Capitol building. AFP via Getty Images

In the hours following the attack, Pelosi directed her anger at Trump, accusing him of causing the chaos and stating, “He’s gotta pay a price for that.” She also considered calling Trump a “domestic enemy” in a statement, though that language was not included in her final speech.

Pelosi said that Trump must “pay a price” for his role in the riot. CNN

The release of this footage comes as House Republicans, led by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), continue to review the findings of the now-disbanded January 6 select committee. Loudermilk criticized Pelosi for not taking responsibility earlier, arguing that she controlled House operations and security at the time.

“This batch of unaired HBO footage is nothing new,” Loudermilk said in a statement. “For over three years, Nancy Pelosi has refused to take responsibility for her failure to secure the Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021. Instead, she has pushed the focus of the failure on President Trump.”

Sola Adeniji

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