"I'm Gonna Punch Him Out"
We need to take a minute to talk about Nancy Pelosi. Just when I think I can’t be more inspired by her leadership and her resolve to get the impossible done, she does something to level up even more and leave me in awe. While Pelosi was carefully measured to the public during the January 6 insurrection and during the critical weeks that followed, we now have video of her more candid moments that were filmed while the attack on the US Capitol was taking place. Watch the video embedded in the tweet below:
”I’m gonna punch him out. That’s what I want, I’ve been waiting for this…for trespassing on the Capitol grounds. I’m gonna punch him out, I’m gonna go to jail and I’m gonna be happy.” This was Pelosi’s actual response to the surging violence and Donald Trump’s threat to further incite a riot by claiming he would walk with his supporters up Capitol Hill. This is exactly how I felt, but even in this moment of terrible stress, Speaker Pelosi was more succinct.
I was live-tweeting the rally that day, just blocks from the Capitol Complex, and posting footage of anything that appeared dangerous or threatening as fast as I could. Early on I was not worried about the actual safety of those inside the Capitol, but I was concerned there could be a riot outside and that many police, press, and innocent bystanders could be hurt.
Just like the country and the political leaders in the Capitol at the time, I had no idea how intentionally stripped down and helpless the Capitol Police Department had been made. I remember watching that Trump rally, where it was quite clear he was attempting to incite violence. Several Trump allies had already spoken to the crowd, including Rudy Giuliani, and purposely stoked the violent and dangerous climate that was all around the Ellipse and soon thereafter, the Capitol.
I remember screaming at the cable coverage of the speakers while trying to monitor things from a Periscope feed and from other Twitter media posts. What started out as retorts that showed my disgust and that started like, “Um, sure-give that a try” and “oh, good thing THAT’S not illegal” soon evolved into “he’s legally inciting violence!” and “Trump better pray no one gets hurt, because he just incited this.” I like Nancy’s proclamation to punch Trump out much better.
The January 6th Committee concluded what was likely their final hearing yesterday, and toward the end, they played a breathtaking video compilation of Congressional leadership reacting to the Capitol riot in real time. We could see who was working on a peaceful solution and who was not. You can watch this video embedded in the tweet below:
After posting and watching that video a few (hundred) times, all I could focus on was the complete inaction of the Republicans in the room like Mitch McConnell and Steve Scalise, who just stood there and let everyone else protect them. Then I thought about Josh Hawley, who hauled ass out of the Capitol Complex as fast as his legs could carry him after stoking the angry crowd with a fist pump when he entered the building earlier that day.
Compare the actions of Nancy Pelosi in the few clips of what we are now privy to seeing, with the clip of Josh Hawley running away or Mitch McConnell doing nothing. This is why Republicans hate her so much. Pelosi is an effective woman who gets things done and her authority and presence are undeniable — she scares these men to death.
After the devastating blow to Reproductive Rights this summer, which only added to a four-year nightmare for a lot of women in this country, and the impending feeling of doom a lot of us are fighting off as we head into the Midterm election, I really needed Nancy Pelosi yesterday. I needed her to remind me of the kind of woman I aspire to be and the woman that I am. I needed some fresh hope — I think we all did.
As reports continue to dominate the media about how Republican PACS are flooding the party with money just before the Midterm Election, Speaker Pelosi continues to do what she does best: reassuring us all that we can keep and win a bigger majority, and working hard to make it happen. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has hosted a trio of big fundraisers in California in the last few days, which include headliners like former President Barack Obama and First Lady Jill Biden.
Pelosi hosted Dr. Biden in Los Angeles on Thursday, as the Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced transfers of $1 million each to Democrats’ House and Senate campaign arms. Speaker Pelosi also spoke at President Biden’s event to raise money for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which was expected to raise about $5 million.
Pelosi and her leadership team have also been working to put increased pressure on fellow members to give more to Democrats across the board. Along with Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has been directing all committee chairs to call their members and encourage them to pay DCCC dues in the final few weeks.
Several rank-and-file Democrats, seeking top committee slots next year, have been drafted to make similar calls. Nancy Pelosi is clearly taking nothing for granted, and always working to squeeze every available dollar out before November. The latest fundraising rounds from Pelosi and other top Democrats include the critical strategy of letting everyone know that an infusion of about $20 million could hold the House.
I am someone who typically likes to cherry-pick the candidates and elections that I want to support and promote and I have and will continue to do that. But, yesterday made me realize that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is in great need of funds, and if Nancy Pelosi is devoting her last few fundraising weeks to helping there, so will I. (Join me and help with a donation here today.)
While I may have had a fun time emphasizing on Twitter how much I admire Nancy Pelosi and making posts that were a bit silly, it was good to remind myself of why I love this work and what I am doing here. It was also a good refresher on what to do when in doubt and needing a little inspiration.
Speaker Pelosi says that we can still hold the House and even gain a slightly bigger majority if we work hard in these last few weeks. I trust what she is saying and more importantly, I trust her perspective and goal. Look to Nancy Pelosi and see what she is doing, and then help her for a minute. That’s what I’m going to do as I set out once again reminded of what I am fighting for.
Thank you, Nancy.
Amee Vanderpool writes the SHERO Newsletter, is an attorney, published author, contributor to newspapers and magazines, and an analyst for BBC radio. She can be reached at avanderpool@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @girlsreallyrule.
Paid subscriptions and one-time tributes embedded in each article allow me to keep publishing critical and informative work that is sometimes made available to the public — thank you. If you like this piece and want to support independent journalism further, you can forward this article to others, get a paid subscription or gift subscription, or donate as much as you like today.
Thank you for this great article Amee! The US government should be applauding Nancy Pelosi today & every day for the force for good she has been for many years. You are right….R men cannot stand a strong woman & she has made fools of all of them! We are all better off for it 👍
You never pissoff an Italian NonA , I speak from experience