Former Capitol Police Chief Steve Sund Exposes Pelosi Over National Guard Decisions

Nearly five years after the events of January 6, 2021, former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund has reignited debate over who bears ultimate responsibility for the lack of security at the U.S. Capitol that day.

This time, Sund’s target is not the rioters, not President Donald Trump, but former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — and he’s not mincing words.

In a direct and unsparing post on the social media platform X, Sund responded to Pelosi’s recent criticism of Trump and his renewed call to deploy the National Guard to protect Washington, D.C. Pelosi had accused Trump of using the military as a distraction from his supposed failures on tariffs, healthcare, education, and immigration.

She also doubled down on the widely reported claim that Trump delayed deploying the National Guard on January 6 — a claim that Sund, who was at the center of the Capitol’s security response that day, directly contradicted.

“Ma’am, it is long past time to be honest with the American people,” Sund began in his viral reply. What followed was a damning, detailed rebuttal from the man tasked with protecting the Capitol on one of the most chaotic days in American history.

According to Sund, the claim that Trump delayed deployment is false — and the real roadblock came from the very office Pelosi controlled.

“On January 3, I requested National Guard assistance, but your Sergeant at Arms denied it,” Sund wrote, referencing federal law (2 U.S.C. §1970), which prevented him from unilaterally deploying the Guard. “I was prohibited from calling them in without specific approval.”

Sund’s allegations go further. He claims that he made multiple requests for backup, including on the morning of January 6, but was blocked or delayed by both the House and Senate sergeants at arms.

These officers, appointed by and accountable to the Speaker of the House and the Senate majority leadership, were “running it up the chain,” according to Sund — a chain that, in the House, ultimately ended with Pelosi.

Sund has maintained this version of events consistently since 2021, telling The Washington Post just four days after the attack that his early requests for support were rejected.

In his post, Sund also took aim at Pelosi’s subsequent actions, pointing out what he described as blatant hypocrisy. After initially denying him the Guard’s assistance, Pelosi later ordered thousands of armed troops and miles of razor-wire fencing around the Capitol during the Biden inauguration — and well beyond.

“When I needed assistance, it was denied,” Sund wrote. “Yet when it suited you, you ordered fencing topped with concertina wire and surrounded the Capitol with thousands of armed National Guard troops.”

Sund’s post quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention and praise from conservatives and critics of the official January 6 narrative. Many accused Pelosi and her allies of manipulating the events of that day for political gain, suppressing information, and deflecting responsibility.

“Thank you for clarifying for the American people what really happened on J6,” one user replied. “It’s so important for history.”

“The chief brought receipts,” added commentator Amanda Head.

Others went further, calling for Pelosi to face consequences.

“Enough with Pelosi getting away with Jan 6th,” one user wrote. “Arrest her already.”

Sund’s allegations are not emerging in isolation. In the past year, newly released security footage has raised additional questions about the behavior of senior congressional leaders on the day of the riot.

One widely circulated clip appears to show Pelosi being escorted through the Capitol by a film crew, prompting accusations that aspects of her evacuation were staged for political effect.

While such claims remain heavily debated, they have amplified public skepticism surrounding the official version of events produced by the now-defunct House Select Committee on January 6.

The committee, hand-picked by Pelosi, included Democratic Chairman Bennie Thompson and Republican Vice Chairwoman Liz Cheney, along with members Adam Schiff and Adam Kinzinger.

Critics dubbed it a “kangaroo court,” designed not to investigate the full scope of responsibility but to place blame squarely on Donald Trump and his supporters.

Sund’s statements directly challenge that premise. They suggest that a more complete picture of January 6 involves failures and decisions at the highest levels of congressional leadership — including Pelosi herself.

The political stakes of Sund’s revelations are enormous. As the nation heads into another heated election cycle, the January 6 narrative remains a wedge issue, with Republicans framing it as a manipulated event used to smear their base, and Democrats continuing to cite it as evidence of an attempted insurrection.

For Trump and his allies, Sund’s post is more than a vindication — it’s ammunition. At a rally over the weekend, Trump referenced Sund’s comments and again denied that he delayed any military support.

“We offered the National Guard — they didn’t want it,” Trump said. “Now their own police chief is telling the truth. It was Pelosi who blocked help, not me.”

House Republicans are also taking notice. Several lawmakers have called for a formal investigation into Sund’s claims, with some suggesting that the original January 6 committee should be held accountable for omitting key testimony.

“This changes everything,” said Rep. Byron Donalds. “The American people deserve to know the full story — not just the parts that help one political party.”

Others have demanded the release of all internal communications between Pelosi, her staff, and the Capitol security apparatus in the days leading up to the riot.

Sund’s call for honesty resonates with many Americans who still have unanswered questions about the events of January 6. While more than a thousand individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with the Capitol breach, few in leadership positions — on either side — have faced accountability for decisions made before and during the chaos.

Sund’s career was effectively ended by the riot. He resigned under pressure just days afterward, but has since become a central figure in the counter-narrative that places blame not just on the rioters but on systemic failures and political decisions made at the highest levels.

His willingness to speak out, even years later, reflects his belief that the record has not yet been corrected — and that Pelosi, far from being a neutral observer or victim, was an active participant in a failed response.

“People are waking up,” Sund wrote. “And history will remember who old the truth.”

What remains to be seen is whether Sund’s truth will lead to tangible consequences. For many on the right, his post has confirmed long-held suspicions. For those on the left, it is dismissed as revisionism.

But in a time when public trust in institutions is at historic lows, and when the Capitol riot remains a defining moment in American political history, voices like Sund’s carry significant weight.

His account challenges the accepted narrative and forces a national reconsideration of responsibility, leadership, and transparency.

Whether or not Pelosi responds directly, the impact of Sund’s words is clear. The public conversation around January 6 is far from over — and if Sund is right, the real story has only just begun.