At the time though, we had not received any threat warnings from our chain of command. To be sure looking back now, it seemed to foreshadow what happened later. It said amongst other things that 'Trump has given us marching orders, and to keep your guns hidden.' It urged people to bring 'your trauma kits and gas mask, to link up early in the day in 6- to 12-man teams.' It indicated there would be time to arm up. The screenshot bore the caption, 'January 6th, rally point Lincoln Park,' and said the objective was the Capitol. As the morning progressed, I did not see or hear anything that gave me cause for alarm, but around 10:56 a.m., I received a text message from a friend forwarding a screenshot of what appeared to be the potential plan of action, very different from a peaceful demonstration. We understood that the vote that certified President Biden's election will be taking place that day, and protests might occur outside the Capitol, but we expected any demonstrations to be peaceful expressions of First Amendment freedoms, just like the scores of demonstrations we had observed for many years.Īfter roll call, I took my overwatch post on the east front of the Capitol, standing on the steps that led up to the Senate Chamber. I reported for duty at the Capitol as usual early on the morning of January 6. I'm provided this testimony solely in my personal capacity, and not as a representative of the United States Capitol Police.īefore I begin, I'd like to take a moment of my time to ask for a moment of silence for my fallen colleague, Officer Brian Sicknick, who died from injuries he sustained in the line of duty defending the Capitol of our beloved democracy. "Chairman Thompson, members of the select committee, thank you for the opportunity today to give my account regarding the events of Janufrom my firsthand experience as a Capitol Police officer directly involved in those events, and still hurting from what happened that day. Dunn is pictured here testifying before the House select committee investigating the attack on July 27, 2021, at the Canon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Harry Dunn described the racism and violence he experienced during the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021. Now, I ask all members to rise for a moment of silence in their memory. Capitol Police Officer Billy Evans, of a later assault. Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood Metropolitan Officer Jeffrey Smith. As I conclude, I want to acknowledge our fallen heroes of that day. But the assault did not deter us from our duty. When the violent assault was made on the Capitol, it’s purpose was to thwart Congress’s constitutional duty to validate the electoral count and to ensure the peaceful transfer of power. As we reflect on that darkest day, we remember that the insurrection sought not only to attack the building, but to undermine democracy itself. This sacred space where members legislate, children learn, visitors are welcomed, was defiled and damaged, we know that. Transcript Pelosi Leads Moment of Silence on House Floor Speaker Nancy Pelosi led members of Congress in a moment of silence to acknowledge the “fallen heroes” of the Capitol riot.
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