Nancy Pelosi brands Trump’s DC Guard move a ‘distraction’, ex-police chief calls out her Jan 6 failure

WASHINGTON, DC: In an attempt to crack down on crime, President Donald Trump has federalized the Metropolitan Police Department and deployed National Guard troops to the nation’s capital, sparking backlash from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. But her criticism didn’t go unanswered.

Former US Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, who led officers during the January 6 Capitol riot, fired back, accusing Pelosi of blatant hypocrisy and attempting to rewrite history. 

Nancy Pelosi faces criticism from ex-Capitol police chief after slamming Trump's plans

Nancy Pelosi took to social media to slam Donald Trump’s latest move, accusing him of using the National Guard to divert attention from his domestic policy failures.

"Donald Trump delayed deploying the National Guard on January 6th when our Capitol was under violent attack and lives were at stake," she wrote. "Now, he’s activating the DC Guard to distract from his incompetent mishandling of tariffs, health care, education and immigration — just to name a few blunders."

But former US Capitol Police Chief Sund quickly pushed back, accusing Pelosi of distorting the facts and deflecting blame. “Ma’am, it is long past time to be honest with the American people,” Sund began. “On January 3, I requested National Guard assistance, but your Sergeant at Arms denied it.”

He explained, "Under federal law (2 U.S.C. §1970), I was prohibited from calling them in without specific approval. That same day, Carol Corbin at the Pentagon offered National Guard support, but I was forced to decline because I lacked the legal authority."

“On January 6, while the Capitol was under attack and despite my repeated calls, your Sergeant at Arms again denied my urgent requests for over 70 agonizing minutes, 'running it up the chain' for your approval,” he continued. “When I needed assistance, it was denied. Yet when it suited you, you ordered fencing topped with concertina wire and surrounded the Capitol with thousands of armed National Guard troops.”

Ex-Capitol police chief calls DC situation 'long time in the making'

In a follow-up statement, Steven Sund broadened his criticism, blaming ongoing public safety issues on policy decisions made years earlier. “Where we are today has been a long time in the making,” he wrote. “In 2020 the D.C. Council passed severe anti-police legislation, effectively handcuffing the D.C. Police Department.”

He pointed to a specific example, "Between May 30-June 1, as the White House came under attack, the D.C. Police, an agency created by Congress in part for the protection of the U.S. President, were prohibited from responding to repeated calls for assistance from the U.S. Secret Service."

“The President had to be evacuated to the bunker and Trump damn near federalized MPD then,” Sund said. “Things have not improved since. Morale is in the gutter, hundreds of officers have left, and those who remain just want to be allowed to do their job.”

Trump announces a full federal takeover of DC's law enforcement operations

Trump announced a full federal takeover of Washington, DC’s law enforcement operations. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, August 11, he declared a symbolic “Liberation Day” for the city, describing conditions as chaotic and unsafe.

Citing a public safety emergency, Trump invoked Section 740 of the Home Rule Act to assume control of the Metropolitan Police Department, deploying 800 National Guard troops without input from the DC mayor’s office or congressional leadership.

The move extended beyond the local police force. Trump ordered federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and others, to begin night patrols and expand federal oversight throughout the city.

He also announced plans to immediately dismantle homeless encampments, framing their removal as essential to restoring order.

Looking beyond DC, Trump warned that similar federal interventions could be implemented in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago unless local leaders take swift action to address rising crime and public disorder.

Internet reacts to ex-Capitol police chief's criticism of Nancy Pelosi

Former US Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund's X post, made in response to Nancy Pelosi's criticism of Donald Trump’s crime crackdown and National Guard deployment, quickly went viral, sparking a flood of passionate reactions.

One user responded bluntly, “Wrong Pelosi denied the national guard access to the capital!”

Another Trump supporter added, “You need to learn the DC national guard chain of command. Just like he deployed them today and just like he took over a state’s national guard in California- he could have and should have deployed them then. He needed NO ONE’S permission to do so.”

A person wrote, “Pelosi is a liar and all of her Dem minions are the same.”

Another chimed in, “Thank you Chief for reminidng us how deceitful Pelosi is! She's a truly evil liar."

Support also poured in for Sund personally. One user praised him, saying, “Damn, bro — good on you for getting the truth out!”

A particularly supportive comment read, “Keep repeating the truth loud and clear @ChiefSund . Eventually the truth will win and you will receive the nationwide recognition and respect you have earned and have always deserved. @speakerpelosi has lost all creditability, if she ever had any, and needs to held responsible for the J6 failures she has always tried to pin on so many other."

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online