‘Shut Up’: Why Rep Nancy Pelosi Snapped At Reporter Over January 6 Question

US Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) sharply told a reporter to “shut up” when asked if she was worried about the newly formed January 6 Committee potentially holding her responsible for the 2021 Capitol riot. The confrontation occurred during a press encounter when Alison Steinberg of LindellTV asked Pelosi about the committee’s review and whether she had refused to deploy the National Guard on that day. Pelosi angrily responded, “I did not refuse the National Guard. The President didn’t send it. Why are you coming here with Republican talking points? As if you’re a serious journalist.”What’s The Row Over Jan 6 Panel?The GOP-led House recently voted to establish the new January 6 panel, chaired by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), to reexamine security failures that contributed to the attack. Republicans argue Pelosi, then House Speaker, failed to call in the National Guard, while Democrats insist that US President Donald Trump bears responsibility, citing his administration’s three-hour delay in deploying the Guard during the riot.Former Capitol Police chief Steven Sund challenged Pelosi’s claims, saying that he had repeatedly requested National Guard assistance days before the rally and on January 6, but was blocked by Pelosi’s office and other officials. Sund said that under federal law he lacked the authority to deploy troops without approval and that urgent requests were repeatedly delayed.Pelosi’s own past statements also reveal a degree of acknowledgment of missteps. Footage released by HBO showed her admitting, “We will have totally failed. And we’ve got to take some responsibility,” as she reflected on the events and security gaps during the Capitol attack. The exchange with Steinberg highlights the ongoing tension and political blame over the January 6 investigation.