Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi continues to face scrutiny over her actions during the January 6 Capitol riot. Recently, Steven Sund, the former U.S. Capitol Police Chief, reiterated his claims that Pelosi prioritized political optics over security during the riot, contradicting Pelosi's consistent narrative.
In a June 2024 interview, Sund accused Pelosi and her staff of delaying requests for National Guard assistance. He insisted that his efforts to secure additional support were thwarted due to concerns over the optics of deploying the military at the Capitol.
JUST IN: Nancy Pelosi claims newly released footage of her taking responsibility for the epic security failure on January 6 is "revisionist history."
Fact check: It is literally Pelosi on camera saying "I take responsibility." pic.twitter.com/RkHuF0Klgc
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) June 11, 2024
Pelosi has refuted Sund’s allegations, maintaining that her actions were focused on ensuring the safety and security of the Capitol and its occupants. In a dramatic video from January 6, 2021, Pelosi and Senate leaders are seen urgently calling for help, contacting the Vice President, Acting Attorney General, and Defense Secretary, as well as the governors of Maryland and Virginia to dispatch the National Guard.
Despite Pelosi’s public appeals for assistance, Sund’s testimony before the House Administration Committee painted a picture of bureaucratic hesitation and delayed response. He claims his requests for backup were bogged down in political considerations rather than immediate security needs.
🚨Democrats have spent three years gaslighting Americans that Donald Trump was to blame for the events of J6—event though he offered to authorize thousands of National Guard troops.
Here's NEW FOOTAGE of Nancy Pelosi taking responsibility for not having the National Guard at J6.… pic.twitter.com/NSGJHXUUuz
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 10, 2024
Republican leaders have seized upon Sund's assertions, arguing that Pelosi failed to take the necessary steps to prevent the violence. They contend that her actions, or lack thereof, contributed to the chaos that unfolded as rioters breached the Capitol.
The ongoing debate highlights the deep partisan divide over the events of January 6. Pelosi’s supporters argue that she did everything possible to respond to the rapidly evolving crisis, while her detractors view her as complicit in a failure of leadership that exacerbated the day’s violence.
As investigations and testimonies continue, the public remains divided. Some believe Sund’s account provides a critical insider perspective on the failures leading up to and during the riot. Others see it as an attempt to deflect blame from the Trump administration and its role in inciting the mob.
With new footage and testimonies emerging, the full story of what happened behind the scenes on January 6 continues to unfold, ensuring that the debate over accountability and responsibility will persist.
