Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she respects people who previously voted for former President Trump, but they “have to make a decision” about democracy in the next election.
Pelosi, former House Speaker, joined MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell for his show “The Last Word” on Wednesday evening and was asked what message it sends that Trump said he would be a dictator on day one of reentering office if he were to win in 2024.
Pelosi said it would send a message to other dictators and countries, because “they recognize what they see in the former president.”
“It’s a message to those people that they have a kindred soul that was trying to crawl back into the White House. But we cannot let that happen, and I saw that, with all the respect in the world for the people who may have voted for the former president,” Pelosi said.
“But they have to make a decision about our democracy, our flag, our Constitution, the future of our children and a democratic state that is a model to the world,” she continued.
The California Representative said: “Nothing less is at stake in this election than our democracy.”
She continued, saying democracy is a value that “translates to your kitchen table.” Americans have the freedom to make choices about how they live their lives, including reproductive options and educational attainment, Pelosi told O’Donnell.
Democracy is “your ability to be who you want to be in this country,” she said.
Pelosi’s comments come just after the fourth GOP debate concluded Wednesday evening.
Four Republican candidates took the stage, notably without Trump, who has skipped each of the primary debates, pointing to his large lead in the polls.
During the interview, Pelosi also touched on her efforts on Jan. 6 for the House to return to session and spoke highly of former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and former White House staffer Cassidy Hutchinson.