Nancy Pelosi on January 6th
TL;DR
Nancy Pelosi characterized the January 6th attack as a violent insurrection and an attempted coup incited by the former President.
Key Points
On January 6, 2025, she stated the insurrection was an attempted coup aimed at subverting the peaceful transfer of power, marking the fourth anniversary.
She has noted that she and the Senate Majority leader called for military assistance, including the National Guard, as the Capitol came under attack.
She issued a statement on January 6, 2026, marking five years since the attack, emphasizing the need to reject political violence and demand accountability.
Summary
Nancy Pelosi asserts that the January 6th attack was a violent insurrection incited by the former President with the sole purpose of overturning a free and fair election to cling to power. She views the event as the culmination of a sustained assault on truth and the rule of law, specifically targeting the peaceful transfer of power. She has repeatedly honored the law enforcement officers who were beaten and scarred while defending the Capitol, noting that some paid the ultimate price.
She maintains that the danger from the event has not ended, pointing to an ongoing effort to rewrite history and excuse the inexcusable, warning that minimizing the attack invites its repetition. The former Speaker stressed the need to defend democracy with clarity and resolve by rejecting political violence and demanding accountability for those who attacked the Constitution. Furthermore, she has actively refuted Republican claims, asserting that she did not have authority over the National Guard deployment and that she called for military assistance as the Capitol came under attack.
Key Quotes
“Four years ago today, our nation watched in horror as a terrorist mob stormed the Capitol grounds and desecrated our Temple of Democracy in a violent attempt to subvert the peaceful transfer of power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nancy Pelosi has strongly condemned the January 6th event, characterizing it as a violent insurrection and an attempted coup instigated by the then-President. She believes the attack was an assault on democracy intended to overturn the election.
She has explicitly denied this claim, stating that as Speaker, she does not direct the National Guard. Instead, she affirmed that she called for military assistance, including the Guard, when the Capitol was under attack.
The former Speaker says the danger continues because falsehoods that fueled the violence are still being spread, and there is an ongoing effort to minimize or excuse the attack. She calls for vigilance and demands accountability to prevent its repetition.
Sources4
Pelosi Statement on Five Years Since January 6th Insurrection
House Republicans Repeat Debunked Lies About January 6th
On January 6th, We Begged the President of the United States to Send in the National Guard—He Would Not Do It
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.