Third District Republican Congressman Jim Banks is clarifying his previous statements blaming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for security breaking down at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
But Banks is standing by what he has said in the past.
Banks told Fox News in July of last year that the chain of command structure for Capital Police means that Speaker Pelosi is “responsible for the breakdown of security” that happened during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capital, saying she “has more control and authority and responsibility over the leadership of the Capital Police than anyone else in the United States Capital.
The day after the House January 6 Select Committee released video showing Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer making multiple phone calls to get the National Guard and the Department of Defense to send help to the Capitol Police.
Banks’ spokesman Buckley Carlson said the congressman still blames Pelosi for supposedly declining a request from Capitol Police for more reinforcements she got on Jan. 4, 2021.
Banks says that denial is what led to security breaking down and rioters entering the Capital. Banks also believes Pelosi waited too long to call for National Guard assistance.
Pelosi’s office did not respond to WBOI’s request for comment.
Banks is facing a re-election challenge in the November midterms by Democrat Gary Snyder and Independent Nathan Gotsch.
Banks was rejected by Pelosi as the top Republican for the committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection. He was one of 147 Republicans who voted against certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election.