Pelosi Claims The Outbreak Was ‘Self-Evident’ Early On, But ‘Don’t Blame Impeachment’ On Slow Response

[Image source: MSNBC video screenshot.]

Posted By: Lindsey Michelle April 2, 2020

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) spoke with MSNBC’s anchor Andrea Mitchell on Thursday, claiming the coronavirus outbreak was “self-evident” early on, “but don’t blame impeachment” on the slowed-down federal response.

She also announced that she’s creating a House Select Committee to address the coronavirus crisis for “transparency and accountability”, adding “Others are suggesting an after-action review and that’s for after action.”

“We think it would be very important with transparency and partisanship, accountability that we proceed all together in a way that unifies our country, addresses the concerns that we have about the health and well-being of the American people, the safety of our workers, who are meeting their needs as well as the impact on our economy. … I think it’s something that should be welcomed by the Republicans and the administration as we deal with elements in our economy, as we go forward,” Pelosi said.

Asked during the interview by Andrea Mitchell: “Do you think it’s fair for Mitch McConnell to suggest impeachment slowed down the federal response?”

Pelosi responded: “No. That’s so sad. They can’t handle their jobs, I guess. Because what are they saying? We ignored it? It was self-evident. Most people knew about it, and certainly those of responsibility.”

“So I say of that, either you can’t handle your job– but don’t blame impeachment on that. Just blame it on the fact that you didn’t want to face the reality– lack denial, and that delay cost lives,” she claimed. (Continued Below)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Tuesday had argued that the Democrats’ push to impeach President Trump in January distracted the Trump administration from the threat posed by the coronavirus.

“It came up while we were tied down in the impeachment trial. And I think it diverted the attention of the government because everything every day was all about impeachment,” Senator McConnell said in an interview on “The Hugh Hewitt Show.”

Former McConnell aide John Ashbrook also pointed out on Twitter Tuesday, that the pandemic is believed to have hit the United States the same day that House Democrats marched articles of impeachment to the Senate after Pelosi held off on moving forward on impeachment for weeks. (Video Below)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s remarks:

Pelosi on creating a House Select Committee:

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John Ashbrook’s official tweet:

Reminder:

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Meanwhile, Pelosi was in San Franciso’s Chinatown on February 24th telling people to “come join us”, while also alleging in a tweet that President Trump’s travel restrictions were “biased” and “bigoted”.

(Related: Pelosi Implies That She Holds No Responsibility For Congress’s Slow Response On COVID-19)