Film shows Pelosi’s hope for “epiphany” as Jan. 6 disintegrates into bedlam

As supporters of former President Donald Trump rallied near the White House on January 6, 2021, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi jumped on a caucus call ahead of the joint session of Congress to certify the 2020 presidential election.

Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin is heard addressing the meeting briefly, telling his fellow House members about the “beauty” of the “mahogany boxes” that will carry the electoral votes signed in each state from the Senate to its chamber for certification.

The speaker then closes out the call, telling House members that “this it is,” and says the chamber needs to be ready to tally the votes “in a timely fashion.”

“Let us pray, in any way that you do, for our country,” Pelosi adds in her final line. “That today will be an epiphany for the American people as they see the difference between our respect for the oath we take versus what they’re up to.

“And let us hope that they will see the light and have their own epiphany on the other side.”

The never-before-scene footage was captured by Pelosi’s daughter and documentarian, Alexandra, in the new HBO documentary Pelosi in the House, which was released Tuesday night. The nearly two-hour film covers everything from the speaker’s upbringing in a devout Catholic family to some of the most challenging moments during her 35 years in Congress.

The last half-hour is specifically reserved for the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, including footage of Trump supporters barging into Pelosi’s office while she and her team sheltered in a secure location.

While it’s not clear if Pelosi is referring to the “other side” as those who denied the 2020 election results, reactions to the documentary Tuesday might prove that the American public did have the “epiphany” for which she prayed.

One review was posted by former advisor for Kentucky House Democrat Chris Couch, who tweeted two takeaways after finishing the film, first stating that there will never be “a Speaker as talented as Pelosi.”

“2. I sometimes forget how emotionally taxing it is to see footage from Jan 6, but I couldn’t imagine anyone besides Pelosi leading in that moment and the following days,” Couch added.

Other users echoed that rewatching film of the deadly attack on the Capitol was disheartening, including Neera Tanden, a political consultant who works with the administration of President Joe Biden. Tanden wrote: “it’s always a gut punch to see the insurrectionists breaking into the Capitol.”

“Just unbelievable,” she added.

Former NFL executive Upton Bell praised the documentary as “compelling and well done,” adding that reliving the ending scenes was frightening.

“The ending at the Capitol on January 6 was scary because of the fragility of our democracy,” Bell wrote.

Pelosi was previously praised for her actions while sheltering in place during the Capitol riot after footage of her urging Congress to continue certifying the election was released during the final public hearing of the House committee investigating January 6.

Footage in the film released Tuesday included some of the same moments, such as when the speaker is rallying fellow House members to go back into session to prove that the American public could have “security” over its election process.

“There has to be some way we can maintain the sense that people have,” Pelosi said. “That there’s some security, some confidence that government can function and that we can elect the president of the United States.”

The documentary is available to stream now with an HBO Max account and will be aired on HBO at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday EST.

Newsweek has reached out to Pelosi’s office for comment.