The AP Interview: Pelosi claims that democracy won Jan. 6

"Democracy won."

Pelosi spoke to The Associated Press Wednesday inside the Capitol, where a mob loyal Trump supporters had taken control. She said that it was time for the country's "better angels," to draw from history, and to ensure that Jan. 6 doesn't happen again.

Pelosi stated to the AP that "Make no mistake, democracy was on the verge of disaster."

She said, "Democracy won this night." "These people were stopped from peacefully transferring power by the brave work of the Metropolitan Police and Capitol Police. They lost."

On Thursday, the speaker will address Congress in a day-long day of remembrance at Capitol. President Joe Biden will speak in the morning and historians, lawmakers, and others will share remembrances throughout. However, few Republicans are expected.

Pelosi drew on Abraham Lincoln's example to say, "This must be a time of remembrance and of reconciliation."

As the Civil War was coming to an end, Lincoln stated, "With malice towards none, with charity toward everyone." "We must extend the hand to friendship."

The insurrection that killed dozens shocked the nation and the entire world. Rioters ransacked the Capitol in hand-to–hand combat with police after President Trump, who had lost, exhorted them all to fight while Congress was certifying Biden's election.

Pelosi stated that no one could have foreseen a U.S. president calling to insurrection. But, there is now an "enormous civics learning as to what a presidency can do."

"I believe people now realize that there are rogue presidents."

Republicans are largely avoiding the remembrance events. They minimize the attack and blame Democrats for failing to fortify the Capitol.

California's Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the House Minority Leader, stated in a letter to his colleagues that Democrats are using the anniversary as a "partisan political weapon to further divide the country."

Pelosi, a California congresswoman who made history 15 year ago as the first female speaker in the House and is now one of the most influential leaders to ever hold the gavel, said that she has "absolutely zero sense of responsibility" for the divisions currently occurring in Congress or the country.

After leading the House twice to impeach Trump she stated that her message to the Capitol attackers -- and to the millions of Americans who supported Trump and could vote for him again -- was that they were being lied to. Numerous court cases and investigations have not found any evidence that voter fraud could have tipped this election, as Trump claims.

She said, "They might have believed that was right." "But they were lied by the president of America."

She said that he should be ashamed of it.

Pelosi, seated beneath George Washington's portrait, drew heavily from the founders vision of a nation where Americans would have many different opinions but still rely on common sense for resolution.

To emphasize national unity, she referred to Lincoln’s efforts to build the Capitol dome despite opposition during the Civil War.

We cannot ignore our responsibility. She stated that we have the power and the responsibility to preserve our country.

"Let's all hope that we don't elect a president which will incite an uprising against the Congress of the United States."

Pelosi reflected on Jan. 6th, after the Capitol was clear of mobs, and said that she was most proud of the quick return of congressional leaders to certify election results.

She is hopeful that the Capitol will be reopened soon. It is a symbol of democracy and has been closed to the public for more than a century.

Pelosi, in her Capitol offices, showed the mirror which was broken during the melee, but it has been fixed. She also showed a door that was vandalized by the mob as they searched for her, menacingly calling out her name.

A conference room was occupied by her staff. They were silent and afraid as the rioters surrounded them. She was the House's President, and was then rushed to a safe location.

Pelosi stated that while historical artifacts can be repaired and replaced, she is well aware of the emotional toll that the tragic day has on many.

She said, "What I most remember about that day is something I find most unforgiving." "The trauma I witnessed in the eyes and faces of those young people who were there for the violence is what I will always remember most.

Biden suggested that one way of strengthening democracy around the world and at home is to show that America can run its government, even though his plan has been blocked by the Senate.

Pelosi agreed and stated that she expected Congress to complete Biden's "Build back Better Act," which is a package of climate change strategies and social initiatives, and send it to President Obama "this year."

She said that the Senate's current voting rights and election-law legislation is "probably the most important legislation we can pass."

Biden was a great unifier, she said. He's the right man for the job, and I believe the times have chosen him.

Pelosi will only confirm that she may run for reelection, given the fact that many believe this may be her last term as an officeholder.

She urged Americans to focus forward, and not back, for now.

She stated, "The future is America’s resilience, America’s greatness." "America will always triumph and that we will survive, even through what happened last year," she said.