Fact check: Did Nancy Pelosi have the authority to accept or refuse National Guard troops on January 6 2021?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, Nancy Pelosi did not have the direct authority to accept or refuse National Guard troops on January 6, 2021. The evidence shows that as Speaker of the House, Pelosi was not in charge of Capitol security, which is instead the responsibility of the Capitol Police Board ^{[1] [2]}. The sources clearly state that the Speaker of the House "does not direct the National Guard" and that "the decision to call National Guard troops to the Capitol is made by the Capitol Police Board" ^[1].

However, the situation is complicated by conflicting evidence regarding Pelosi's role in security decisions. Multiple sources reference HBO footage showing Pelosi stating "I take responsibility" and "I take full responsibility" for the security failures at the Capitol ^{[3] [4]}. Additionally, one source suggests that Pelosi's Sergeant at Arms denied requests for National Guard assistance on both January 3 and January 6 ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about the formal chain of command for Capitol security. The analyses reveal that the Capitol Police Board, not individual congressional leaders, holds the authority to request National Guard deployment ^{[6] [1] [2]}. This institutional structure is a critical piece of missing information.

There are conflicting narratives about responsibility versus authority. While Pelosi acknowledged responsibility for security failures in private recordings, this admission of responsibility does not necessarily translate to having formal authority over National Guard deployment decisions ^[3].

The analyses also reveal a dispute between different officials, with former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund apparently claiming that Pelosi was at fault for National Guard delays, while Pelosi blamed Trump ^[5]. This suggests there were multiple actors involved in the decision-making process, each with different levels of influence and responsibility.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself appears neutral, but it may inadvertently perpetuate a false premise by suggesting that Pelosi had direct authority over National Guard deployment. The analyses clearly indicate that "Nancy Pelosi did not have the power to call on the National Guard" ^[6] and that she "did not block the National Guard from the Capitol on Jan. 6" ^[1].

This misconception could benefit those seeking to shift blame for security failures away from other responsible parties, including the Capitol Police Board, the Department of Defense, or executive branch officials who had clearer authority over National Guard deployment. The confusion between taking responsibility for failures and having formal authority to prevent them creates an opportunity for political actors to misrepresent the actual decision-making structure.

The persistent focus on Pelosi's role, despite clear evidence that she lacked formal authority, suggests potential partisan framing designed to hold her accountable for decisions that were institutionally outside her direct control.