Video shows Nancy Pelosi taking charge during January 6 Capitol riots

Footage shot by House Speaker's daughter shown to committee investigating insurrection

Previously unseen video showing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi taking charge behind the scenes during the January 6 Capitol riots has emerged.

The footage was shot by Ms Pelosi's daughter, documentary filmmaker and journalist Alexendra Pelosi, who was at the Capitol to document her mother, as rioters broke in.

It emerged after being shown to the committee investigating the incident.

The video offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how some of the most powerful politicians in the US tried to handle the chaos — while also expressing their anger at then-president Donald Trump over his role in the riots.

It shows Ms Pelosi and other top legislators trying to co-ordinate a response from Fort McNair military base, which had been turned into a command centre after the attack.

Footage shot at 2.23pm, when rioters had already disrupted the planned certification of the 2020 presidential election results, shows Ms Pelosi wearing a protective mask and speaking into a mobile phone.

"We have got to finish the proceedings or else they will have a complete victory," she says in the video.

The bipartisan committee has been gathering evidence related to the January 6 attack for almost a year. AFP

At about 2.42pm, Ms Pelosi is seen telling a roomful of other legislators: "There has to be some way to mentain the sense that people have that there is some security or some confidence that government can function and that you can elect a president of the United States."

At around 3.25pm, she tells Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen over the phone: "... the fact is on any given day, they are breaking the law in many different ways — and quite frankly much of it at the instigation of the president of the United States.

"Why don't you get the president to tell them to leave the Captiol, Mr Attorney General?" chimes in Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, also talking into the phone.

Later in the video, when told the Secret Service had disuaded Mr Trump from going to Capitol Hill, Ms Pelosi says: "I hope he comes I am going to punch him out.

"I have been waiting for this for traspassing on Capital grounds. I am going to punch him out and I am going to go to jail and I am going to be happy."

In pictures — January 6 Capitol riot

Donald Trump, the president at the time, speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as president in Washington on January 6, 2021. AP

A mob loyal to Mr Trump tries to break through a police barrier at the Capitol. AP

The mob waves pro-Trump flags in front of the Capitol building. AP

Riot police push back a crowd of rioters at the Capitol building. AFP

Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol building. AFP

Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump try to open a door of the US Capitol building as they riot in Washington. AP

US Capitol Police push back rioters trying to enter the US Capitol. AP

Police and rioters confront each other in the Rotunda of the Capitol. US Capitol Police via AP

Smoke fills the hallway outside the Senate chamber of the Capitol. AP

Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump breach the Capitol in Washington. AP

Trump supporters, including Doug Jensen, centre, confront US Capitol Police in the hallway outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol. AP

Newly installed razor wire tops the fence surrounding the US Capitol following the January 6 riot. Reuters

Security agents and members of Congress barricade the door to the House chamber as the violent mob breaches the Capitol. AP

Rioter Jacob Chansley holds a sign referencing QAnon as supporters of Mr Trump gather to protest the early results of the 2020 presidential election. Reuters