Key Takeaways:
- On January 20, 2025, former President Donald Trump pardoned approximately 1,500 people convicted for their actions during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
- The pardons included individuals who injured police officers, including former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, who was dragged into the crowd and suffered injuries to his shoulder and foot.
- Many police officers who defended the Capitol on January 6, 2021, are still struggling to come to terms with the violence they experienced and the subsequent pardons.
- Some Republican lawmakers and Trump have minimized the violence of the riot, calling the perpetrators "patriots" and their convictions a "grave national injustice."
- The Capitol Police department has implemented changes to support officers and improve training, equipment, and intelligence, making the Capitol a safer place.
Introduction to the January 6, 2021, Capitol Riot
The January 6, 2021, Capitol riot was a pivotal moment in American history, as hundreds of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the building, resulting in injuries to over 140 police officers and damage to the Capitol. Five years later, the effects of that day are still being felt by the officers who defended the building, particularly in light of Trump’s pardons of approximately 1,500 people convicted for their actions during the riot. Former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, who was injured during the riot, received messages from federal prosecutors, FBI agents, and the federal Bureau of Prisons informing him of the pardons, which included individuals who had harmed him and other officers.
The Struggle to Come to Terms with the Violence
Gonell and other police officers, including Officer Daniel Hodges, who was also injured during the riot, are still grappling with the trauma they experienced. Hodges described the past year as "difficult," with many things "getting worse." The officers’ struggle has been compounded by statements from Trump and some Republican lawmakers downplaying the violence of the riot. Trump has referred to the rioters as "patriots" and their convictions as a "grave national injustice." Former Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger, who took over the department six months after the riot, noted that many officers were angry and resentful not only because of their injuries but also due to the lack of equipment and training they had to deal with the violent crowd.
The Effort to Downplay the Violence
The effort to minimize the violence of the riot has been a significant challenge for the police officers who were there. Adam Eveland, a former District of Columbia police officer, expressed his disappointment with Trump’s pardons, stating that if there were to be pardons, the administration should have reviewed every case. Former Capitol Police Officer Winston Pingeon, who was part of the force’s Civil Disturbance Unit on January 6, 2021, said the pardons "erased what little justice there was." The pardons have also been criticized by Hodges, who testified before a Republican-led Senate hearing in October, where three witnesses called by Republicans raised their hands in support of Trump’s pardons, including for those who injured Hodges.
The Impact on Police Officers and Their Families
The aftermath of the riot has not only affected the police officers who were there but also their families and friends. Eveland noted that his biggest struggle has been the public perception of the riot and navigating conversations with people close to him who do not think it was a big deal. Gonell, who left the Capitol Police due to his injuries, has written a book about his experience and still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder related to the attack. Pingeon, who also left the department, has dealt with his experience by painting images of the Capitol and advocating for nonviolence. He said he now feels ready to forgive and move past the trauma he endured.
Changes in the Capitol Police Department
In the aftermath of the riot, the Capitol Police department has implemented significant changes to support officers and improve training, equipment, and intelligence. Manger, who retired in May, oversaw major improvements to the department, including the introduction of wellness and counseling services, which were not available when he arrived. The department has also improved its operational planning and intelligence, making the Capitol a safer place. Pingeon noted that the department is "unrecognizable" from what it was on January 6, 2021, and when he left several months later. The changes have been welcomed by many officers, who hope that they will help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Conclusion and Moving Forward
The January 6, 2021, Capitol riot was a traumatic event that has had a lasting impact on the police officers who defended the building. The pardons of those convicted for their actions during the riot have added to the trauma, with many officers feeling that their experiences have been erased or minimized. However, the Capitol Police department has made significant changes to support officers and improve training, equipment, and intelligence. As the country moves forward, it is essential to acknowledge the violence of the riot and the bravery of the police officers who defended the Capitol. By doing so, we can work towards healing and preventing similar incidents in the future.