dogcows 1,356 Posted 19 hours ago https://wtop.com/local/2026/01/officers-who-defended-the-capitol-on-jan-6-say-their-struggles-linger-5-years-after-the-riot/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon Quote “They told me that people I testified against were being released from prison,” Gonell said. “And to be mindful.” Gonell was one of the officers who defended the central West Front entrance to the Capitol that day as Congress was certifying Democrat Joe Biden’s victory and hundreds of Trump’s supporters broke into the building, echoing his false claims of a stolen election. Gonell was dragged into the crowd by his shoulder straps as he tried to fight people off. He almost suffocated. In court, he testified about injuries to his shoulder and foot that still bother him to this day. Quote “They have tried to erase what I did” with the pardons and other attempts to play down the violent attack, Gonell said. “I lost my career, my health, and I’ve been trying to get my life back.” Five years since the siege, Gonell and some of the other police officers who fought off the rioters are still coming to terms with what happened, especially after Trump was decisively elected to a second term last year and granted those pardons. Their struggle has been compounded by statements from the Republican president and some GOP lawmakers in Congress minimizing the violence that the officers encountered. “It’s been a difficult year,” said Officer Daniel Hodges, a Metropolitan Police Department officer who was also injured as he fought near Gonell in a tunnel on the West Front. Hodges was attacked several times, crushed by the rioters between heavy doors and beaten in the head as he screamed for help. “A lot of things are getting worse,” Hodges said. Real victims from real brutal violence. A shameful day in American history. We should all condemn those criminals, and they never should have been pardoned. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frozenbeernuts 2,492 Posted 19 hours ago Not accurate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
avoiding injuries 1,674 Posted 19 hours ago But he loves Venezuelan oil!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
avoiding injuries 1,674 Posted 19 hours ago And keeping American kids off drugs!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maximum Overkill 2,676 Posted 19 hours ago This one hates American Soldiers @dogcows Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hardcore troubadour 16,138 Posted 19 hours ago I guess no cops suffered due to the DNC sanctioned BLM/ George Floyd riots. Any stories on them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seafoam1 3,556 Posted 19 hours ago 39 minutes ago, dogcows said: Real victims from real brutal violence. A shameful day in American history. We should all condemn those criminals, and they never should have gotten away with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dogcows 1,356 Posted 18 hours ago At least we’ve only got whatabouts instead of trying to minimize the suffering of our boys in blue. Good stuff 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seafoam1 3,556 Posted 18 hours ago 1 minute ago, dogcows said: At least we’ve only got whatabouts instead of trying to minimize the suffering of our boys in blue. Good stuff Not a whatabout. Reality. Defund police!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites