Nancy Pelosi’s Vow to ‘Punch Out’ Trump During Jan. 6 Riots Draws Praise and Questions From Media and Politicians
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s videotaped reaction to the possible appearance of then President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riots revealed a knockout few lines.
In video that was captured by Pelosi’s daughter Alexandra — who is a documentary filmmaker — as Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, the Democratic representative from California’s Chief of Staff Terri McCoullough reported that the Secret Service “dissuaded him [Trump] from coming to Capitol Hill.”
Pelosi responded with a neutral expression, saying, “If he comes, I’m going to punch him out.”
“I’ve been waiting for this. For trespassing on Capitol grounds. I’m going to punch him out,” she added. “I’m going to go to jail, and I’m going to be happy.”
Pelosi’s response to hearing Trump might march to the Capitol is definitely worth watching pic.twitter.com/wpUlvKoqwT
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 14, 2022
CNN exclusively obtained the extended videos, and an edited compilation of clips aired at Thursday’s Jan. 6 hearing.
Reactions to Pelosi’s fierce comment came in quickly and continued throughout the day and into the night and following morning, with many believing Pelosi was acting positively presidential.
“The View” co-host Ana Navarro-Cárdenas tweeted the video, writing, “I could watch this on a loop.”
Joy-Ann Reid, host of MSNBC’s “The ReidOut” wrote, “Welp…that 5-minute montage the Jan 6 committee just played leads me to the conclusion that America did have a president on January 6th. Her name was Nancy Pelosi.”
Democratic strategist Kurt Bardella tweeted a similar thought: “So America did have its first female President … her name was Nancy Pelosi.”
Randi Mayem Singer, screenwriter for “Mrs. Doubtfire,” echoed these sentiments.
“Weird seeing actual footage of the first woman president, even if it was just for a few hours,” Singer wrote. “Thanks, Nancy Pelosi.”
Others reacted more broadly to the leadership they felt she demonstrated on the chaotic day in Washington D.C.
IVoteFund founder Ellen Kruz wrote, “Retweet if you think Speaker Nancy Pelosi has earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”
Nancy Pelosi wasn’t hysterical or emotional during Jan. 6. She was cool and collected, determined to save our democracy. No plates or ketchup hurled.
Strong, wise women leaders. We need more of them in the U.S.— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 14, 2022
Compare and contrast what we now know Nancy Pelosi was doing on 1/6 versus what we know Josh Hawley was doing. We saw her leading and him running, with our own eyes, because it’s all on tape.
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) October 13, 2022
I'm 100 percent sure if Nancy Pelosi punched trump in the face, she'd have knocked him the fuck out.
No question.— BrooklynDad_Defiant!
(@mmpadellan) October 14, 2022
Still others voiced skepticism at the fact that Pelosi was “mic’d up” and had “someone recording her all day on January 6th” in addition to the implications of what she said.
So Nancy Pelosi threatened violence against a sitting president of the United States. Just so we're clear…
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) October 14, 2022
wow nancy pelosi's daughter filmed her admitting "i've been waiting for this, for trespassing on the capitol grounds"
and threatening to attack the sitting president— Tim Pool (@Timcast) October 14, 2022
Read below for other reactions ranging from admiration for Pelosi’s cool-headedness amidst the chaos, suspicion at the Democratic Speaker of the House’s true motives and more.
Nancy Pelosi has a cool head in a crisis
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) October 13, 2022
Nancy Pelosi was prepared to defend the capitol personally herself from the terrorist that is Donald Trump. That is why she is second in line to the presidency and he out of office and under endless investigations.
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) October 14, 2022
After today’s J6 committee, i have new respect for the way Nancy Pelosi handled that nightmare.
— Charles Johnson (@Green_Footballs) October 14, 2022
Nancy Pelosi wanted people to storm the capitol
— Terrence K. Williams (@w_terrence) October 14, 2022
Donald Trump lied.
Brett Kavanaugh cried.
Josh Hawley went to hide.
And all Nancy Pelosi did was take care of business as usual.— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) October 13, 2022
Nancy Pelosi.
Liz Cheney.
Defenders of the constitution, democracy and the Republic.
Chose country over party.
True leaders.
True Patriots.— Billy Baldwin (@BillyBaldwin) October 13, 2022
Nancy Pelosi is one hell of a hero.
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) October 13, 2022