McCarthy, Republicans Say Pelosi Responsible for ‘Security Failure’ on Jan. 6
'Dec. 14, the leadership knew there was a problem'
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House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Republicans are accusing Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) of being responsible for security failures that led to the events on January 6 at the Capitol.
McCarthy highlighted failures that may have contributed to what happened that day.
"Dec. 14, the leadership knew there was a problem," McCarthy said.
"Even prior to that, an Inspector General report told us there was failed leadership at the top of the police for the training."
He also noted that no hearing was held to address that report.
House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) claimed that Pelosi "was made aware of potential security threats to the Capitol, and she failed to act" in December 2020.
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House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving, who reports to Pelosi, denied a request to send in the National Guard to help with crowd control.
"The American people deserve to know the truth that Nancy Pelosi bears responsibility as speaker of the House for the tragedy that occurred on Jan. 6," Stefanik said.
Although Pelosi does not oversee the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), she does appoint the House sergeant-at-arms, who is on the Capitol Police Board that oversees the department.
The department is overseen by committees from both houses of Congress.
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Stefanik also said Pelosi ran a biased commission based on politics, not a desire for truth.
"She's an authoritarian who has broken the people's House," she said.
The Washington Post reported that before the Jan. 6 riot, the FBI office in Virginia issued a warning that extremists were making their way to Washington, D.C. for "war".
Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) also placed suspicion on Pelosi by questioning what she knew prior to the Capitol riot in January.
"Here’s what I want to know: What did Nancy Pelosi know, and when did she know it?" Graham said.
House Minority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), said Pelosi's failure to hold a hearing on the origins of COVID-19 was down to the commitment to her own narrative of what happened.
"Too often we've seen this pattern by Speaker Pelosi of trying to cover up a narrative that she doesn't want out there when we should be trying to get all of the facts," he said.
"But unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi will only pick on people onto the committee that will ask the questions she wants asked," McCarthy said.
"That becomes a failed committee and a failed report, a sham that no one can believe.
"If you want the true answers, do not be afraid of the questions that will get asked and drive the evidence to wherever it comes forward."
