Newly released footage from the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol attack reveals former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi referring to then-President Donald Trump as a "domestic enemy."
The video, obtained by CBS News, shows Pelosi preparing for a press conference on January 7, discussing the events of the previous day and her plans to address Trump's role in the incident.
In the footage, Pelosi is seen with her staffers, planning her public statements following the attack on the Capitol. While she ultimately did not use the term "domestic enemy" in her public remarks, the video provides insight into her private thoughts and reactions to the unprecedented events that had unfolded.
The former House Speaker's comments in the video are notably frank and forceful. Pelosi is heard saying, "There is a domestic enemy in the White House. Let's not mince words about this." While not used in her public address, this statement reflects the intensity of her feelings about Trump's actions during and leading up to the Capitol riot.
In another clip from the early hours of January 7, after Congress had certified Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election, Pelosi expressed her dismay at Trump's behavior. When asked about her feelings on being "done with Donald Trump," she responded, "I just feel sick for what he did to the Capitol and to the country today. He's gotta pay a price for that."
The footage also captures Pelosi's strategic planning in the wake of the attack. She is seen requesting a list of Trump's Cabinet members, indicating her intention to publicly call for the invocation of the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.
As Pelosi left the Capitol for Fort McNair, where congressional leaders regrouped during the attack, she voiced her frustration with the security failures that allowed the riot to occur. She questioned why the National Guard had not been called in earlier and expressed concern about the interruption of the election certification process.
Pelosi is heard saying:
We have responsibility. We did not have any accountability for what was going on there and we should have. This is ridiculous.
This acknowledgment of responsibility has been highlighted by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers investigating the events of January 6. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, a Georgia Republican leading the GOP's probe, pointed to Pelosi's comments as evidence of her role in the security shortcomings.
The release of this footage comes at a time when the events of January 6 continue to be a subject of intense political scrutiny and debate. Trump has faced criticism for his actions on that day, including his speech to supporters before the attack and his delayed response in calling for peace.
The video also sheds light on Pelosi's immediate plans following the attack, including her intention to call for the resignation of U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund. While she expresses some reservations about Sund in the footage, she emphasizes that the focus should remain on President Trump's actions.
These revelations come as various investigations into the January 6 attack continue. Special counsel Jack Smith recently reindicted Trump on charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, adding to the ongoing legal and political fallout from the events of that day.
The newly released footage provides a behind-the-scenes look at Nancy Pelosi's immediate reactions and plans following the January 6 Capitol attack. Her strong words about Trump, concerns about security failures, and strategic planning for the aftermath offer new insights into the political tensions of that critical moment. The video has reignited discussions about responsibility and accountability for the events of January 6, with both parties using the footage to support their respective narratives about the attack and its aftermath.
