WATCH: Kash Patel Points to Pelosi and Schumer in Testimony on Jan. 6 Security Failures
During a high-profile confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 30, FBI Director nominee Kash Patel delivered a striking testimony that has sparked renewed debate over the events of January 6, 2021.
Speaking under oath and responding to questions from Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Patel directly addressed the chain of command and security planning failures leading up to the Capitol breach.
At the time of the January 6 incident, Patel was serving in a senior role at the Department of Defense under the Trump administration.
He testified that the Pentagon had offered to deploy National Guard troops ahead of the planned rally on the National Mall — a move intended to bolster security at the Capitol.
However, according to Patel, those offers were declined by key officials.
Patel told the committee that the request for additional support was turned down by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
When Sen. Cruz pressed him on who the Capitol’s Sergeant at Arms reported to — the official tasked with key security decisions — Patel responded, “The Speaker of the House,” confirming that it was Nancy Pelosi at the time.
Cruz then asked if Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was also involved in oversight during that period.
Patel acknowledged that both leaders held significant authority and reiterated that Pelosi declined the National Guard support in writing prior to the events of January 6.
He stated, “She put in writing on the days leading up to January 6th a declination for National Guard additional support, and that letter is available publicly.”
The testimony has reignited discussion over how much top Congressional leaders knew and what steps were taken—or not taken—to prepare for the unrest.
Watch the full exchange and Patel’s statement in the video linked below.
