On January 6, 2021, as Congress convened to certify the presidential election results, President Trump had already given directives to secure the premises. This authorization was aimed at managing the large crowds expected that day.

New Insights Into January 6 Preparations

Steve Baker's report, highlighted by Gateway Pundit, brought to light transcripts in which General Mark Milley confirmed that Trump had anticipated potential unrest. "Hey, look at this. There's going to be a large amount of protesters here on the 6th. Make sure that you have sufficient National Guard or Soldiers to make sure it's a safe event," President Trump reportedly stated.

Despite Trump’s clear directives, confusion and inaction at the Pentagon led to a standstill. Trump did not specify whether the troops should be from the National Guard or active duty but stressed the need for adequate security measures.

Pentagon's Response and the Capitol Police's Request

The Pentagon officials did not follow through on Trump’s request. Further complicating matters, when U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund sought to utilize Trump's offer, his request was denied by the Secretary of the Army's representative due to concerns about the optics of military presence.

Col. Earl Matthews noted that the Washington National Guard was ready but never received the final go-ahead from Army officials.

Political Maneuvering and Missed Opportunities

Political considerations influenced the decisions of both local and federal authorities. Washington's mayor reportedly declined the offer of additional troops, a decision driven by political motivations rather than security concerns.

Amidst these revelations, reports surfaced that Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House at the time, recognized her role in the security failures. In a recorded statement, Pelosi expressed regret, saying, "We're calling the National Guard now? They should have been here to start out. We have totally failed. We need to take some responsibility for not moving to secure…"

Allegations of Suppressed Evidence

The Federalist accused Pelosi’s January 6 committee of omitting crucial evidence that might have exonerated Trump, raising questions about the transparency and integrity of the investigative process. Allegations also emerged that Democrats on the committee destroyed evidence related to the rioters.

Adding to the controversy, Pelosi has refused to disclose her communications from that day, a move that critics argue hinders a full understanding of the events and decisions made.

The report by Steve Baker, bolstered by corroborative transcripts and witness statements, paints a complex picture of the preparations and responses on January 6. It suggests a scenario where President Trump took proactive steps to ensure the safety of the Capitol, steps that were ultimately hindered by bureaucratic indecision and political considerations.

Reviewing the January 6 Security Failures

This latest report provides a significant counter-narrative to the accusations that Trump incited an insurrection, highlighting instead his efforts to bolster Capitol security amidst a volatile political climate.

It calls into question the handling of his directives and the subsequent chain of command failures that marked one of the most turbulent days in recent American history.