Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is facing public pushback from Steven Sund, the former U.S. Capitol Police Chief, over her claims that Donald Trump delayed National Guard deployment during the January 6 Capitol riot. Pelosi criticized Trump for activating the D.C. National Guard and taking federal control of local policing, calling it a distraction from his policy failures. She also accused him of inaction during the Capitol attack.

Sund responded forcefully, stating that he had formally requested National Guard support on January 3, 2021, but was denied by Pelosi’s own Sergeant at Arms. Under federal law, Sund explained, he lacked the authority to deploy troops without that approval. Even as the riot unfolded, Sund said his repeated pleas for backup were stalled for over an hour while the request was “run up the chain” to Pelosi.

Sund called Pelosi’s actions hypocritical, pointing out that she later surrounded the Capitol with fencing and troops. His remarks have reignited debate over who was truly responsible for the security failures on January 6, challenging the narrative that Trump alone was to blame for the delayed response.

Adding to the controversy, footage aired by CNN showed Pelosi on January 6 saying she wanted to “punch [Trump] out,” which contradicts her public concern over the day’s violence. Critics are also revisiting D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s earlier refusal of additional federal law enforcement help before the riot.

Now, as Trump regains control of D.C. security amid a new anti-crime push, the political fight over the January 6 narrative is once again front and center — and Sund is making it clear he won’t let Pelosi rewrite history without challenge.