Veteran officers who defended the Capitol during the attack on Jan. 6, 2021, will campaign for President Biden in key battleground states, the campaign announced. Former Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, and D.C. police officer Danny Hodges will act as surrogates for the campaign in states including Nevada, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New Hampshire. The officers will warn voters about what could happen if Donald Trump is elected again, citing his praise for the Jan. 6 rioters and his statements about becoming a dictator on “day one” of a second term. Gonell, Dunn, and Hodges were all assaulted by rioters during the Capitol attack and have since become prominent voices speaking out about the events of that day.
The campaign aims to underscore Trump’s dangerous rhetoric and behavior since the Capitol attack, including his continued praise for the rioters and his threats of violence if he is not reelected. The officers will meet with elected officials and law enforcement organizations to raise awareness about the potential dangers of a second Trump term. Dunn, who ran for the Democratic nomination in Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District, emphasized the threat that Trump poses to democracy and the importance of reelecting Biden to protect it. The officers’ firsthand accounts of the violence and chaos on Jan. 6 serve as a powerful reminder of the risks posed by Trump’s rhetoric and actions.
The Department of Justice has charged more than 1,200 people with crimes related to the Jan. 6 Capitol assault, with hundreds of guilty pleas and convictions. The veteran officers who defended the Capitol that day have described the traumatic experiences they endured, including being assaulted, beaten, and threatened by the rioters. Despite the physical and emotional toll of that day, they remain committed to speaking out against Trump’s dangerous behavior and urging voters to reject extremism and protect democracy by reelecting Biden. Their firsthand accounts serve as a stark reminder of the violence and chaos that erupted on Jan. 6 and the ongoing threat posed by those who seek to undermine the democratic process.
During a Biden campaign press conference outside the Manhattan courthouse where closing arguments were happening in Trump’s criminal hush money case, officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6 shared their experiences and emphasized the need to hold Trump accountable for his role in inciting the violence. Former D.C. police officer Michael Fanone described hearing distress calls from fellow officers as they were attacked by thousands of Trump supporters, highlighting the harrowing experiences of law enforcement on that day. The officers’ presence at the press conference underscored the ongoing efforts to seek justice for the events of Jan. 6 and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The Biden campaign’s decision to enlist the support of veteran officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6 reflects a broader effort to highlight the dangers of Trump’s rhetoric and behavior and to mobilize voters to protect democracy. By sharing their firsthand accounts of the violence and chaos they experienced that day, the officers are working to ensure that voters understand the stakes of the upcoming election and the consequences of allowing Trump to return to power. Their bravery and resilience in the face of adversity serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for democracy and rejecting extremism in all its forms.
