Recently released video footage from Jan. 6, 2021, exposes former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi admitting to a security failure as the Capitol unrest unfolded—a failure she was quick to pivot from in order to target then-President Donald Trump. The footage, filmed by Pelosi’s daughter, captures the Speaker acknowledging that the National Guard should have been deployed sooner, candidly stating, “We have totally failed.”
Despite this admission, Pelosi rapidly shifted her focus to how the situation could be leveraged against Trump, whom she had long opposed. As she worked to ensure the swift certification of Joe Biden’s presidency, Pelosi also began plotting how to hold Trump accountable for the chaos, asserting, “He’s got to pay a price for that.”
This footage, reviewed by POLITICO and recently provided to the Republican-led House Committee on Administration, offers a rare glimpse into Pelosi’s mindset during the Capitol breach. While publicly condemning Trump for the events of Jan. 6, Pelosi privately acknowledged her own role in the security failures but did not take public responsibility.
Critics have pointed out that as Speaker of the House, Pelosi held significant authority over Capitol security. The newly released footage, showing her admission of failure, raises questions about her accountability and the narrative she pushed through the January 6 Select Committee, which was designed to place the blame squarely on Trump.
As the video reveals, Pelosi discussed who should be held responsible for the security lapse, with her focus ultimately shifting to Trump. The footage adds to the ongoing debate about who should truly be held accountable for the failures of that day.
