Did Nancy Pelosi Turn Down National Guard on January 6?
Understanding the Controversy
The January 6th insurrection at the United States Capitol sparked intense debates and conspiracy theories, including claims that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected a request from the National Guard to help quell the unrest. This article will provide an in-depth examination of the events surrounding that day and the subsequent investigations, examining the validity of this claim.
Timeline of Events
January 6th, 2021: The US Capitol was overrun by a mob of pro-Trump supporters who breached security barriers and entered the building. The National Guard was deployed to restore order.
The Claims of Refusal
Pro-Trump advocates and some Republican lawmakers claimed that Pelosi turned down requests from the National Guard for assistance in controlling the chaos. According to Fox News, in January 2021, an anonymous source alleged that Pelosi was "refusing to send in the National Guard to protect the Capitol Building and its members." Another Republican lawmaker, Representative Thomas Massie (KY-04), tweeted, "Nancy Pelosi refuses to send the National Guard to the US Capitol Building."
Debunking the Claim
Numerous investigations, fact-checking organizations, and congressional committees have disputed these claims. Here’s what we know:
• No Record of Rejection: Despite exhaustive searches, no documentation exists showing that Pelosi or the US Capitol Police ever requested National Guard assistance on January 6th and had it denied. The Department of Defense and the Capitol Police have conducted internal reviews and provided no evidence to support the claim.
• Timing and Protocol: Deploying the National Guard is a complex process, requiring coordination between the Defense Department, the National Guard Bureau, and the relevant state governors. Even if the National Guard were needed, it would take significant time to mobilize and arrive at the scene.
• On-Scene Commander: The Acting Chief of the US Capitol Police, Yogananda Pittman, has repeatedly denied receiving any requests from Pelosi to withhold National Guard support. Pittman stated, "There were no requests made by me, nor did I refuse to request the National Guard, as has been suggested by some."
• Federal Response: On January 6th, federal authorities, including the US Park Police, Secret Service, and FBI, were quickly deployed to the Capitol area. By 3:30 pm, the National Guard had begun to arrive, and their assistance continued throughout the day and in the following weeks.
• Capitol Police Procedures: The Capitol Police follow established protocols for dealing with internal security breaches, including the use of law enforcement agencies and external agencies as needed. According to the Capitol Police’s internal investigation, their protocols were followed on January 6th, and the agency is responsible for security and policing the Capitol grounds.
Conclusion
After analyzing the available evidence and fact-checking reports, there is no credible proof that Nancy Pelosi turned down requests for National Guard assistance on January 6th, 2021. While claims to the contrary may have sparked heated debates and conspiracy theories, they remain unsubstantiated and misleading.
Key Takeaways:
• There is no documented evidence of a National Guard request being denied or refused by Pelosi.
• Deploying the National Guard requires extensive coordination and is unlikely to be delayed by an individual’s refusal.
• The on-scene commander and federal authorities confirm no request was made to withhold National Guard support.
• Capitol Police procedures and internal investigation findings contradict the claim of a denied request.
In conclusion, Did Nancy Pelosi turn down the National Guard on January 6th? The answer is a resounding NO.
