Donald Trump: Pelosi Responsible for January 6th Riot – Former President Donald Trump has claimed that former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was “responsible for Jan. 6,” the day when the U.S. Capitol was stormed by a mob.
Speaking to NBC over the weekend, Trump alleged that Pelosi, who was in charge of security at the time, turned down a request for 10,000 soldiers to be stationed at the Capitol. He contended that had the soldiers been deployed as requested, the events of January 6th could have been averted.
“I behaved so well, I did such a good job, Nancy Pelosi turned down 10,000 soldiers … if she didn’t do that …” Trump argued during the interview. He also claimed that the Capitol police testified against Pelosi and alleged that all evidence related to her involvement was destroyed.
The former President emphasized Pelosi’s authority over the Capitol and stated, “National Guard not coming? I asked her [for them] to be there three days in advance, and she turned it down.”
The decision to call in National Guard troops to the Capitol falls under the purview of the Capitol Police Board, comprising the House sergeant at arms, the Senate sergeant at arms, and the architect of the Capitol.
The board chose not to call the Guard before January 6th but later requested assistance after the chaos had already erupted.
Pelosi Hits Back at Donald Trump
Pelosi’s office has vehemently denied Trump’s allegations.
Speaking to MSNBC on Sunday, Pelosi spoke candidly about Trump’s habitual tendency for projection.
Pelosi remarked, “The former occupant of the White House has always been about projection. He knows he’s responsible for that so he projects it onto others.” She was addressing Trump’s inclination to deflect blame onto others for actions he himself may be culpable for.
Pelosi referenced Trump’s instigation of the insurrection at the Capitol, labeling it an assault on democracy and the Constitution. She pointed out how Trump attempted to shift the responsibility, stating, “Shame on him. However, he always projects.” Pelosi also countered a common misconception, noting that they had implored Trump to deploy troops to safeguard the Capitol during the violent events.
“Trump used to say, ‘well, she turned down my troops.’ No, we begged him,” Pelosi explained, debunking Trump’s claims. She shed light on the efforts made by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and herself to convince Trump to act responsibly in the face of crisis.
Addressing Trump’s legal woes, Pelosi highlighted the 91 charges he is facing across federal and state felony indictments. These charges relate to Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election, mishandling of classified documents, and involvement in hush money payments to conceal extramarital affairs. Trump, however, has staunchly denied all allegations against him and dismissed concerns about potential imprisonment, stating, “I don’t even think about it.”
As Donald Trump vies for a return to the White House, the spotlight remains on his actions and the ongoing legal battles that shape his political trajectory.
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
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