Pelosi declares Democrats saved democracy on Jan. 6 in DNC speech

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) reflected on the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, declaring Democrats “saved democracy” when they certified President Joe Biden’s election victory on the same day in 2021 during her speech to the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday. 

“Let us not forget who assaulted Democracy on Jan. 6. He did,” Pelosi said, alluding to former President Donald Trump and his role in inciting the riot of pro-Trump supporters who swarmed the Capitol that day. “But let us not forget who saved democracy that day. We did.”

“Thank God we had a Democratic House of Representatives,” she said to cheers from the crowd. “We returned to the Capitol that very same night. We insisted on certifying the election results on the floor of the House and Senate. And we demonstrated, to America and to the world, that American democracy prevailed.”

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle voted to certify the election, and some Senate Republicans withdrew their initial objections just hours after the deadly attack on the Capitol. However, eight Republican senators and 139 representatives backed objections to the election results.

Speakers on the convention stage reflected on the day in 2021, which was a focal point of the Democratic National Convention’s third night on Wednesday, featuring remarks from retired U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, former Georgia Lt. Gov Geoff Duncan, and lawmakers who were there. Video footage of the violence that unfolded and remarks from Trump were projected on the jumbotron. 

“The parable of Jan. 6 reminds us that our democracy is only as strong as the courage and commitment of those entrusted with its care,” Pelosi said in her speech. “And we must choose leaders who believe in free and fair elections and who respect the peaceful transfer of power. 

“The choice couldn’t be clearer. Those leaders are Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz,” she said.

The renewed energy and optimism over the Harris-Walz ticket at the convention comes against the backdrop of Pelosi’s work behind the scenes to pressure Biden off the ticket. While she has attempted to downplay her role in Biden’s decision, House Democratic sources believed she played an integral part. 

“Sometimes you just have to take a punch for the children,” she said, speaking to CNN ahead of Biden’s speech on Monday. 

Pelosi, who stepped aside as the leader of House Democrats in 2022 to allow a new generation of leaders in the House to rise, ironically appears to be at the peak of her power and has been known to be a masterful playmaker behind the scenes. 

However, Pelosi and Biden reportedly are on frosty terms. Biden admitted to reporters on Monday night after his speech that he had not spoken to Pelosi since he exited the race.

In his speech before the convention on Monday, he took a detour from his prepared remarks to say he “wasn’t angry with all those people who said I should step down.”

Pelosi only acknowledged Biden briefly in her remarks, reflecting on what she considers the accomplishments of the current administration and the work Democrats in Congress contributed to make it possible. 

“All thanks to President Biden’s patriotic vision of a fairer America, doing so with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Joe,” Pelosi said as the crowd began to chant “Thank you, Joe.”

“And I know Vice President Harris is ready to take us to new heights,” she said.