Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Sunday said she hopes to ask the FBI to investigate protesters calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war and suggested that some of the antiwar demonstrations are linked to Russia.
During an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” the former House speaker shared her belief that some of the protesters are “connected” to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“For them to call for a cease-fire is Mr. Putin’s message, Mr. Putin’s message. Make no mistake. This is directly connected to what he would like to see. Same thing with Ukraine. It’s about Putin’s message,” Pelosi said.
“I think some of these — some of these protesters are spontaneous and organic and sincere. Some, I think, are connected to Russia, and I say that having looked at this for a long time now,” she continued.
Pressed on whether she thinks some of the protesters are Russian plants, Pelosi said she would like to have the FBI look into the matter.
“I didn’t say they’re plants. I think some financing should be investigated,” she said. “And I want to ask the FBI to investigate that.”
Asked about how concerned she is that voters such as young people, Arab Americans and progressives might stay home instead of voting for President Joe Biden in the general election, given the growing number of protests at his campaign events, Pelosi said she has been a “recipient” of what she described as the “exuberances” of protesters.
“They’re in front of my house all the time. So I have a feeling for what feelings they have, but we have to think about what we’re doing,” she said. “And what we have to do is try to stop the suffering and gossip. This is women and children. People don’t have a place to go, so let’s address that.”
Asked to comment on Pelosi’s remarks, a spokesperson for the California Democrat said she is supportive of peaceful protests and is concerned about foreign adversaries meddling in the 2024 presidential…
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