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 replied 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.”
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.”
Kurt Bardella (Democratic strategist) tweeted a similar thought. “So America did have its first female President … her name was Nancy Pelosi.”
Randi Mayem Singer, screenwriter for “Mrs. Doubtfire,”These sentiments were echoed by others.
“Weird seeing actual footage of the first woman president, even if it was just for a few hours,” Singer Submitted. “Thanks, Nancy Pelosi.”
Others were more receptive to her leadership during the chaos in Washington D.C.
Ellen Kruz is the founder of IVoteFund Submitted, “Retweet if you think Speaker Nancy Pelosi has earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”
Others expressed doubts about the fact that Pelosi was there “mic’d up”And “someone recording her all day on January 6th”In addition to the implications of her words.
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.