CNN released never-before-seen footage of Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, of California, saying she'd punch then-President Donald Trump if he followed through on his threat to come to the United States Capitol on Janaury 6, 2021.
Pelosi's remark was a reaction to a speech Trump gave at the "Stop the Steal" rally just before a mob of his supporters attacked the Capitol on the false premise the 2020 general election was stolen. Trump encouraged his supporters to "fight like hell" because if "you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.”
Trump's remarks that day have been pivotal to the investigation by the House Select Committee tasked with investigating the insurrection. It is evident Pelosi was completely aware of the seriousness of the situation—and undeterred—as it unfolded in real time.
You can hear what Pelosi said in the video below.
\u201c\u201cI hope he comes, I\u2019m going to punch him out ... I\u2019m going to punch him out, I\u2019m going to go to jail, and I\u2019m going to be happy.\u201d\n\n\u2014 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi\u2019s just-revealed response to the prospect of former President Trump potentially marching to the Capitol on January 6th.\u201d— The Recount (@The Recount) 1665707646
After Pelosi's Chief of Staff Terri McCullough informed her the Secret Service dissauded Trump from marching on the Capitol but "that could change," Pelosi responded:
“I hope he comes. I’m going to punch him out."
"I’ve been waiting for this. For trespassing on the Capitol grounds."
"I’m going to punch him out. And I’m going to go to jail, and I’m going to be happy.”
As far as social media users were concerned, Pelosi was simply saying what everyone already had on their minds.
\u201cI love her\u2026 she\u2019s said what I\u2019ve thought for years now!\u201d— It\u2019s just Jules \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f\ud83d\udc89 (@It\u2019s just Jules \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f\ud83d\udc89) 1665749446
\u201cIf Nancy had walloped him, a GoFundMe for her legal costs would have set new subscription records. Waiting for Faux news to be like "how dare she say such a hurtful thing!" 3...2...1..\u201d— Bitch Pudding (@Bitch Pudding) 1665746336
\u201c\u201cI would pay to see that.\u201d - Sane America\u201d— Irene Adler (@Irene Adler) 1665718367
\u201cThere\u2019s not a Patriotic American alive who wouldn\u2019t pay to see this\u201d— Rick Schwanz, Esq (@Rick Schwanz, Esq) 1665712972
\u201cSpeaker Pelosi is most of America.\u201d— Paul Rieckhoff\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Paul Rieckhoff\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1665713427
\u201cGet in line, Nancy, there's 80 million of us that get first licks.\u201d— VOTE The Trash Out 11/8 \u270a\ud83c\udffc\ud83d\uddfd\u270a\ud83c\udffc (@VOTE The Trash Out 11/8 \u270a\ud83c\udffc\ud83d\uddfd\u270a\ud83c\udffc) 1665712324
\u201cThe voice of a nation.\u201d— Patrick Johnson (@Patrick Johnson) 1665714487
\u201cDayam, Nancy! This is crazy and also super funny. I might not agree with all of her politics, but I have to hand it to her.. and she's always been a firecracker and I definitely admire her for that.\u201d— Nicole Leggatt (@Nicole Leggatt) 1665744755
\u201cMadame Speaker, you speak for us all.\u201d— David \u2018TRex\u2019 Ferguson (@David \u2018TRex\u2019 Ferguson) 1665744088
The footage—particularly the remark from McCullough that the Secret Service wanted Trump to stand down—helped corroborate this summer's testimony from Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.
Hutchinson offered further insight into Trump's mindset that day, notably he was aware of and supported the plan to attack the nation's seat of government.
According to Hutchinson, Trump was "angry" the Secret Service was not allowing people who had arrived armed with weapons into the event. The footage shows Trump saying he "would love it if they could be allowed to come up here with us."
Hutchinson also said she heard Trump say those in attendance were "not here to hurt me" and demanded his security people "Let my people in" so they could "march to the Capitol after the rally's over."
In perhaps her testimony's most striking moment, Hutchinson told the House Select Committee a Secret Service agent told her Trump had gotten into a physical altercation when he attempted to grab the steering wheel of the presidential limousine.
By Hutchinson's recollection, the Secret Service agent said Trump had wanted to go to the Capitol and have a front row seat to the attack, further underscoring how he had incited the violence that left at least five people dead and resulted in over 100 injuries to law enforcement and millions of dollars in damages.
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