Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Pelosi told Pence to keep location secret during Capitol riot: ‘Don’t let anybody know where you are’

Ms Pelosi’s conversation with Mr Pence is shown in film footage shot by her daughter Alexandra

Andrew Feinberg
Friday 14 October 2022 18:23 BST
Comments
New Jan. 6 footage shows Pelosi, leaders as crisis unfolded

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Documentary footage shot during the January 6 Capitol attack shows House Speaker Nancy Pelosi advising then-Vice President Mike Pence to keep his location a closely held secret.

After Mr Pence was evacuated from the Senate chamber by his Secret Service detail, he was taken to a restricted loading dock area that is part of the Capitol Visitors Centre complex. He remained there during the riot and refused his bodyguards’ request that they take him to a different location.

In film shot by her daughter, Alexandra Pelosi, the House speaker is shown having a phone conversation with Mr Pence.

She tells him that she and other congressional leaders are safe, but voiced worries that it could be “days” before the Capitol was made safe.

Still, she told Mr Pence her preference was to return to the House chamber to complete certification of the 2020 election rather than use the emergency facility where she and other leaders had been taken.

“We’d rather go to the Capitol and do it there, but it doesn’t seem to be safe. We’ve gotten a very bad report about the conditions of the House floor with defecation and all that kind of thing,” she said.

She then told Mr Pence to call her back and advised him further: “I worry about you being in that Capitol though. Don’t let anybody know where you are”.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in