ARIZONA NEWS

US Rep. Debbie Lesko of Arizona expected Trump supporters ‘to go nuts’ on Jan. 6

Jul 12, 2022, 4:51 PM | Updated: Jul 13, 2022, 10:48 am

(Photo by Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty Images)...

(Photo by Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty Images)

(Photo by Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko of Arizona expected supporters of then-President Donald Trump “to go nuts” on Jan. 6 if the election wasn’t overturned, according to a recording played Tuesday by the House Committee investigating the attack.

“I’m actually very concerned about this because we have who knows how many hundreds of thousands of people coming here,” Lesko said on the recording from the eve of the Capitol attack. “We have Antifa. We also have, quite honestly, Trump supporters who actually believe that we are going to overturn the election.

“And when that doesn’t happen — most likely will not happen — they are going to go nuts.”

Lesko was one of four Arizona Republicans who voted against certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election, which saw Democrat Joe Biden defeat Trump.

Lesko told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad on Jan. 6, 2021, that she knew protests would occur but didn’t anticipate the severity of the situation.

“I really did predict that there was going to be a problem, but I did not predict that they were going to break into the U.S. Capitol,” Lesko said at the time.

The recording played Tuesday also shows Lesko asking for a safety plan for House members in preparation.

Lesko told Gaydos and Chad at the time she watched the events on the House floor unfold from a television in her office when people started to be whisked off the floor to safety.

“I thought for sure that the police were going to stop them, so this is a truly a lesson that they should have beefed up the police a lot more in advance because, you know, I’m not even a police officer, and I knew that there was gonna, I predicted there was going to be some unrest,” Lesko said at the time.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

File phot of the back of a Phoenix, Arizona, police officer. The Phoenix Police Department unveiled...

Kevin Stone

Phoenix Police Department unveils strategic plan to reduce crime

The Phoenix Police Department on Monday unveiled a strategic plan that takes a community and victim-centered approach to reducing crime.

14 hours ago

Booking photo of Raul Perez Ochoa and a file photo of a Gilbert Police Department cruise. Ochoa, an...

KTAR.com

East Valley massage therapist accused of sexual offenses

An East Valley massage therapist accused of sexual offenses was arrested last week, and police are looking for more possible victims.

14 hours ago

Stock image of a Fourth of July fireworks display. The Fabulous Phoenix 4th fireworks show and Four...

Kevin Stone

Boom, it’s back: Fabulous Phoenix 4th fireworks show returns after 3-year hiatus

The Fabulous Phoenix 4th fireworks show and festival is returning this year for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the city announced.

14 hours ago

(Extended Stay America Photo)...

KTAR.com

2 detained after stabbing incident at extended stay hotel near Old Town Scottsdale

Two people were detained Sunday evening following a stabbing incident at an extended stay hotel near Old Town Scottsdale, authorities said.

14 hours ago

Booking photo of Martin Oliver and file photo of a Phoenix Police Department cruiser. Oliver was ar...

KTAR.com

Man arrested after breaking into Phoenix apartment, shooting at officers

A man was arrested Sunday afternoon after breaking into an apartment near downtown Phoenix and barricading himself inside, authorities said.

14 hours ago

Stock image of police tape and file photo of a Glendale, Arizona, police department cruiser....

KTAR.com

Suspect at-large after 1 killed, 2 injured in Glendale triple-shooting

Police are trying to locate the person who shot three people, killing one, in Glendale on Sunday afternoon.

14 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Desert Institute for Spine Care

Spinal fusion surgery has come a long way, despite misconceptions

As Dr. Justin Field of the Desert Institute for Spine Care explained, “we've come a long way over the last couple of decades.”

(Photo: OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center)...

OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center

Here’s what you need to know about OCD and where to find help

It's fair to say that most people know what obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders generally are, but there's a lot more information than meets the eye about a mental health diagnosis that affects about one in every 100 adults in the United States.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Company looking for oldest air conditioner and wants to reward homeowner with new one

Does your air conditioner make weird noises or a burning smell when it starts? If so, you may be due for an AC unit replacement.

US Rep. Debbie Lesko of Arizona expected Trump supporters ‘to go nuts’ on Jan. 6