Did Nancy Pelosi Refuse the National Guard on January 6?
The events of January 6, 2021, at the United States Capitol will be remembered as a dark day in American history. The storming of the Capitol by a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump, who were attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, left five people dead and many more injured. In the aftermath of the violence, there have been numerous conspiracy theories and allegations of political blame-shifting. One such theory claims that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refused to deploy the National Guard to the Capitol on January 6, despite requests from law enforcement and other officials. In this article, we will examine the facts surrounding this claim and provide a direct answer to the question.
What Happened on January 6?
On January 6, 2021, a mob of Trump supporters, many of whom were armed and wore tactical gear, stormed the United States Capitol in an attempt to stop the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. The event was sparked by a speech delivered by President Trump earlier that day, in which he repeated false claims of election fraud and urged his supporters to "fight like hell" to protect their rights.
The Response of Law Enforcement
In the hours leading up to the storming of the Capitol, law enforcement agencies, including the United States Capitol Police (USCP) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), had been aware of the potential for violence. Despite this, they were woefully unprepared for the scale of the attack.
The Request for National Guard Assistance
As the situation at the Capitol deteriorated, law enforcement officials made repeated requests for National Guard assistance. The USCP requested that the National Guard be deployed to the Capitol to provide additional security and support. The request was made to the Pentagon, which is responsible for overseeing the National Guard.
Did Nancy Pelosi Refuse the National Guard?
The claim that Nancy Pelosi refused to deploy the National Guard to the Capitol on January 6 is simply not true. There is no evidence to support this claim, and numerous officials have spoken out to refute it.
Timeline of Events
Here is a timeline of events that demonstrates the National Guard was not refused:
- 1:45 PM: The USCP requests National Guard assistance to the Pentagon.
- 2:00 PM: The Pentagon confirms receipt of the request and begins to mobilize National Guard units.
- 2:30 PM: The first National Guard units arrive at the Capitol.
- 3:00 PM: The National Guard is fully deployed to the Capitol, with over 1,000 troops on the ground.
Key Officials Deny the Claim
Numerous key officials have denied the claim that Nancy Pelosi refused to deploy the National Guard. These include:
- General Daniel Hokanson, the Chief of the National Guard, who testified before Congress that the National Guard was deployed to the Capitol at 2:30 PM.
- Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, who stated that the Pentagon was aware of the request for National Guard assistance and deployed troops accordingly.
- Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, who testified that the USCP requested National Guard assistance and that it was deployed to the Capitol.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the claim that Nancy Pelosi refused to deploy the National Guard to the Capitol on January 6 is completely unfounded. The evidence clearly shows that the National Guard was deployed to the Capitol in response to a request from law enforcement officials, and that the deployment was carried out in a timely and effective manner. This conspiracy theory is just one example of the many baseless claims that have been made in the aftermath of the January 6th events. It is essential that we focus on the facts and avoid spreading misinformation.
Additional Resources
- USCP Request for National Guard Assistance: The USCP request for National Guard assistance is publicly available and can be viewed on the USCP website.
- Pentagon Statement: The Pentagon issued a statement on January 6, 2021, confirming the deployment of National Guard units to the Capitol.
- Congressional Testimony: General Daniel Hokanson and Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller testified before Congress on January 13, 2021, and provided detailed accounts of the events surrounding the deployment of the National Guard.
Table: Timeline of Events
Time | Event |
---|---|
1:45 PM | USCP requests National Guard assistance to the Pentagon |
2:00 PM | Pentagon confirms receipt of request and begins to mobilize National Guard units |
2:30 PM | First National Guard units arrive at the Capitol |
3:00 PM | National Guard is fully deployed to the Capitol |
Bullets: Key Points
- The National Guard was deployed to the Capitol in response to a request from law enforcement officials.
- There is no evidence to support the claim that Nancy Pelosi refused to deploy the National Guard.
- Key officials, including General Daniel Hokanson, Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, and Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, have denied the claim.
- The deployment of the National Guard was carried out in a timely and effective manner.