Newly released video casts serious doubt on former President Donald Trump’s claims that he ordered the National Guard to the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
The footage, aired on MSNBC on June 10, 2024, shows Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer furiously confronting Trump administration officials over the delayed deployment of the National Guard during the violent insurrection by Trump’s supporters.
In the video, Schumer is seen expressing his frustration to then-Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy. “D.C. has requested the National Guard, and it’s been denied by DOD. I’d like to know a good f—ing reason why it’s been denied,” Schumer demands.
His exasperation underscores the chaos and desperation of that day. “We need them fast. We’ve all had to… I’ve never seen anything like this. We’re like a third-world country here. We had to run and evacuate the Capitol.”
The video starkly contradicts Trump’s long-standing narrative. The former president has repeatedly asserted that he ordered the National Guard to respond, but that then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi blocked his efforts. This claim has been repeatedly undermined by testimony from Trump’s own Cabinet members under oath.
Trump’s narrative has been a cornerstone of his defense against widespread criticism of his actions—or lack thereof—on January 6. By suggesting that he acted swiftly and decisively to quell the violence, Trump has sought to absolve himself of responsibility for the chaos that ensued.
Yet, the newly released footage suggests otherwise, indicating a significant delay in the deployment of the National Guard, directly challenging Trump’s version of events.
Further into the video, Schumer is seen moving to escalate his plea to higher authorities within the Trump administration. “All right. I spoke to the secretary of the Army, and he’s given the full OK to give the National Guard. He said it was not done,” Schumer says, clearly exasperated. “I’m going to call up the secretary of Defense.”
In another segment of the video, Schumer presses acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen to use his influence to get Trump to publicly order the rioters to disperse. “Why don’t you get the president to tell them to leave the Capitol? Mr. Attorney General, in your law enforcement responsibility. A public statement, they should all leave,” Schumer urges.
His plea is met with a vague response about Trump’s commitment to “peace, law, and order,” to which Schumer retorts, “Yeah. Why don’t you get him to make that statement? Would you do that?”
The newly released footage has reignited debate over Trump’s role and response during the Capitol riots, with many critics arguing that it further discredits his claims of prompt and proactive leadership.
The January 6 insurrection remains one of the most scrutinized events in recent American history. The breach of the Capitol by a mob intent on overturning the 2020 presidential election results led to widespread condemnation and a subsequent impeachment of Trump, making him the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice.
The implications of the video are significant, potentially affecting ongoing legal and political proceedings related to January 6. Trump’s actions on that day have been central to various investigations, including those conducted by the House Select Committee and the Department of Justice. This new evidence could influence public opinion and judicial outcomes, further complicating Trump’s already tumultuous post-presidency.
The newly released footage from January 6 provides compelling evidence that contradicts former President Trump’s claims about his response to the Capitol riots. The video showcases a frantic and urgent plea from Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer for immediate action, highlighting the delay and confusion within the Trump administration.
As the fallout from January 6 continues to unfold, this new evidence will likely play a critical role in shaping the ongoing discourse and investigations surrounding that dark day in American history.
