GOP Leaders’ press conference before the start of the January 6 committee: Pelosi is the one to blame for the Capitol riots

Just before the start of the first January 6 committee hearing on Tuesday, House GOP leaders held a press conference in an effort to take all eyes on them instead of the committee hearing. Or at least that’s how it looked like.

House GOP leaders used the occasion to blame Nancy Pelosi and found her responsible for the Capitol attacks on January 6. GOP leaders accused Pelosi of neglecting her duty to defend the Capitol on Jan. 6 and demanding answers about her role in the violent attack that injured more than 140 police officers.

“On Jan. 6 these brave officers were put into a vulnerable and impossible position because the leadership at the top failed,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters just outside the Capitol.

Experts say GOP used the press conference to put a pressure on the Democrats and two GOP leaders who were about to start the first January 6 committee hearing scheduled just shortly after the press conference. Republicans are furious and decided to boycott the panel as none of Trump’s allies have been allowed to be part of the committee.

It looks like Nancy Pelosi choose Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) on purpose in order to name the panel ‘bipartisan’, although, none of them were recommended by the GOP as they are known to be critical of Trump and they were among the few who voted for Trump impeachment.

How much the press conference and the committee itself became partisan, is the fact that GOP House leaders never mentioned Trump or his efforts to block the certification of his election defeat on January 6, while Pelosi refused to accept the GOP committee recommendations, Reps. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).

GOP House leaders also refused to answer the supporters some of the most sensitive questions. Among the several unanswered questions, GOP leaders were also asked why Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who was Senate majority leader on Jan. 6, should not bear the same responsibility they say Pelosi does for the security lapses.

Instead of answering the question, they blamed Pelosi of failing to approve the activation of the National Guard that day. Additionally, they found Pelosi accountable for not letting Banks and Jordan, known Trump allies, to take part of the committee.

“Why don’t they want to answer the fundamental question, which is why wasn’t there a better security posture on that day?” Jordan asked.

Pelosi’s office immediately responded to the conference pushing back against the charges. They added that Pelosi never denied a request to activate the National Guard.

“Now that the bipartisan Select Committee is beginning its work, the only tools left in House Republicans’ arsenal are deflection, distortion, and disinformation,” her office said.

The first committee hearing is live now. For live stream, click here.