By Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lashed out at a conservative reporter on Capitol Hill this week, telling her to “shut up” after being pressed about her handling of security ahead of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
The exchange unfolded when Alison Steinberg of LindellTV questioned the California Democrat about potential scrutiny from a new Republican-led committee investigating the events of that day, reported Fox News.
“Congresswoman Pelosi, are you at all concerned that the new January 6 committee will find you liable for that day?” Steinberg asked as Pelosi exited a meeting. When the congresswoman did not respond, the reporter repeated the question.
As aides guided Pelosi away, Steinberg called out again: “Why did you refuse the National Guard on January 6?”
🚨 HOLY CRAP! Rep. Nancy Pelosi LOSES IT, goes BERSERK and yells at reporter when asked, "why did you refuse the National Guard on January 6th!"
PELOSI *Aggressively pointing*: "SHUT UP!! I did NOT refuse the National Guard. Why are you coming here with Republican talking… pic.twitter.com/vj6jXeGI3x
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 15, 2025
Pelosi spun around, pointing at her questioner. “Shut up! I did not refuse the National Guard! The president didn’t send it,” she snapped. She then added, “Why are you coming here with Republican talking points as if you’re a serious journalist?”
Unfazed, Steinberg replied as Pelosi departed, “The American people want to know. We still have questions. Thank you.”
The brief but fiery encounter underscored how deeply the January 6 debate still divides Washington. Republicans have revived their criticism of Pelosi’s oversight during the riot, while Democrats accuse the new GOP-controlled panel of trying to rewrite history.
In 2022, House Republicans issued a report faulting Pelosi and other Democratic leaders for what they described as inadequate security preparations. The original select committee—created under Democratic control—had only two Republican members, former Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Liz Cheney of Wyoming, both now out of Congress.
The New York Post reported last year that “Pelosi repeatedly admitted she should have done more to protect the US Capitol from the January 6 rioters that former President Donald Trump unleashed to overthrow the election, newly released footage shows.
Pelosi also lashed out at the idea that anyone expected MAGA fans to “act civilized,” according to the video taken as she was whisked away from the Capitol as the angry mob began infiltrating the congressional building.
“We have totally failed. We have to take some responsibility for not holding the security accountable for what could have happened,” the California Democrat raged at one point.
“Oh my god, I cannot believe the stupidity of this. And I take the full responsibility.”
After the incident, Steinberg told Fox News Digital: “Pelosi’s allegation that I was spouting ‘Republican talking points’ is absurd. I write my own questions, and for her to discredit me for holding conservative views is shameful.”
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