Police Outrage Over Trump’s Jan. 6 Pardons

Title: Outrage Among Capitol Police Following Presidential Pardons for January 6 Defendants

In a shocking turn of events, the Justice Department has begun notifying victims of inmates who have been released from federal prison—an action that has sparked outrage among law enforcement officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, insurrection. Following President Trump’s recent sweeping pardon of nearly 1,600 defendants, many of whom were convicted of violent crimes associated with the attack, U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. police officers received a barrage of automated calls informing them of these releases.

Aquilino A. Gonell, a former Capitol Police sergeant who sustained injuries during the violent attack and later retired due to those injuries, received multiple calls notifying him about the release of his attackers. Over a span of a few hours on Tuesday, Mr. Gonell received no fewer than nine such calls, leading him to express his outrage. He described the mass pardons as “a miscarriage of justice, a betrayal, a mockery, and a desecration of the men and women that risked their lives defending our democracy.”

The January 6 insurrection resulted in injuries to over 150 police officers from both the Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department. The brutality of the attack was evident, with officers being assaulted with baseball bats, flagpoles, and pipes. Some officers endured severe trauma, both physical and emotional, leading to lingering struggles with mental health. Tragically, several police officers who were present at the Capitol during the insurrection have since taken their own lives, deeply affecting their colleagues and families.

In a testament to the impact of these events, Craig Sicknick, brother of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick—who died the day after the attack—echoed the sentiments of many officers facing similar emotions. He highlighted the profound loss of accountability fostered by the pardons, voicing his heartbreak that those who stormed the Capitol would escape justice. “We almost lost democracy that day,” Mr. Sicknick reflected. “Today, I honestly think we did lose democracy.”

As the news of the pardons broke, reactions on Capitol Hill were muted, particularly among Republican senators. Even those who had previously condemned the violence seemed reticent to criticize Trump’s actions, with Senator John Thune of South Dakota deflecting questions about the appropriateness of the pardons. “We’re looking at the future, not the past,” Thune asserted, framing the pardons as within the president’s rights. He acknowledged the broad use of presidential pardon authority but blamed the conversation on political posturing.

Despite the lack of vocal condemnation from certain lawmakers, many officers are resolved to continue fighting for accountability. Patrick A. Malone, a lawyer representing several officers who have sued Trump over the insurrection, stated: “For anyone who cares about truth and respect for law and law enforcement, his pardons are an unspeakable outrage.” He emphasized that the officers would not forget the administration’s actions.

Harry Dunn, a prominent officer who stood guard during the Capitol riot and has since left the Capitol Police, described the atmosphere among his former colleagues as one of profound anger and sadness. Many officers received multiple calls from victim services, informing them of the defendants’ releases, which only served to compound their trauma. “Every officer who testified in court is now getting these automated calls that, ‘Hey this defendant is being released,’” Dunn stated, summarizing the shared experience of his colleagues.

Dunn, who has been in touch with fellow officers during this turmoil, noted the overwhelming sense of disbelief at the pardons. “It’s mind-blowing to me that everybody is now surprised and up in arms about it,” he remarked. He expressed confusion over the outrage given Trump had signaled his intentions in advance. “What me and the other officers were doing speaking out was getting people to realize what was coming,” Dunn clarified, emphasizing the need for accountability rather than accolades.

While the calls for accountability grow louder, the emotional toll on the officers and victims remains significant. As they grapple with feelings of frustration and resignation, their commitment to seeking justice for the events of January 6, and the systematic support they received during and after the attack, remains unwavering. “I don’t want to be a hero. I want accountability,” Dunn concluded, capturing the sentiment shared by many who stood witness to the attack on democracy that fateful day.