Representatives Goldman, Crow, Houlahan, and Swalwell Host Capitol Police Officers to Condemn Trump's Pardons for Violent January 6th Insurrectionists

 

Washington D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10), along with Representatives Jason Crow (CO-06), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and Eric Swalwell (CA-14) hosted Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges to condemn Donald Trump’s blanket pardons for roughly 1,500 January 6th insurrectionists. Donald Trump’s pardons for the January 6th rioters freed individuals convicted of assaulting police officers, seditious conspiracy, and other violent crimes.  

 

On the same day the representatives condemned Donald Trump’s egregious pardons, Republican Congressman Bilirakis (FL-12) met with Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right extremist group the Oath Keepers, in the Capitol complex to celebrate his pardon. Additionally, Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04) offered private tours to those who stormed the Capitol building on January 6th.  

 

“Donald Trump’s inexcusable and unwarranted January 6th pardons to hundreds of violent criminals are a disgusting insult to the brave men and women of law enforcement who were attacked while protecting the Capitol that day,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “The near-unanimous silence from Congressional Republicans confirms that they only “back the blue” when it’s convenient, not when it matters. I was proud to stand beside Officers Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges to lift up their stories from January 6, when they were beaten and assaulted by a mob incited by Donald Trump. Trump can try to whitewash what happened that day, but these brave officers are constant reminders of his betrayal of law enforcement and America.” 

 

Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan said, “On Monday, President Trump swore to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. On Tuesday, he inexplicably pardoned more than 1500 felons, many of whom were charged with and convicted of violence against our Capitol police. This conduct from our Commander in Chief is literally oath-defying. As America approaches its 250th year, our democracy will prevail, but it is fragile. Our larger national security depends on the stability of our democracy and on the trust we place in our leaders to uphold their oaths and commitments. I was proud to stand alongside my colleagues today to remind the nation that our Commander in Chief has a responsibility to call out and condemn political violence, not condone it.” 

  

Congressman Jason Crow said, "Pardoning January 6 insurrectionists who brutally beat police officers is an endorsement of political violence. The officers who defended our democracy that day are heroes, and President Trump has disrespected these brave men and women every chance he gets. He talks a big game about rule of law but lets cop beaters and killers walk free. It’s disgusting and wrong." 

 

Congressman Eric Swalwell said, “Donald Trump’s decision to pardon the January 6 offenders is a slap in the face to the brave law enforcement officers who defended our democracy that day. As the son of a cop, a brother to two officers, and a former prosecutor, there’s nothing pro-law enforcement about unleashing violent criminals back into our communities. House Democrats will continue to stand with our officers, protect our democracy, and hold Republicans accountable for enabling Trump’s dangerous actions.” 

 

Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn said, “Donald Trump made this a campaign promise, and he was clear where he stood. He was proud of the people who stormed the Capitol on January 6th. He made this clear on January 7th, 2021. Anyone pretending to be outraged and shocked that he would do this either hasn't been paying attention or is full of shit. The Republican party has long claimed to be the party of law and order, however many lawmakers’ silence and refusal to push back against Donald Trump's actions make it incredibly hard to take that claim seriously. Many of the officers who were brutally assaulted that day are the same officers who protected Donald Trump this Monday. They are the same officers who protect members of Congress every day, including Speaker Johnson’s detail of Capitol Police officers who, in many instances, spend more time with him than they do their own families.” 

 

Congressman Goldman has continued to push back against Donald Trump’s anti-democratic actions and his efforts to whitewash the violence of January 6th. 

 

Last year, Congressman Goldman introduced a resolution censuring Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for conduct unbecoming of a member of Congress, including referring to the duly convicted insurrectionists as ‘hostages.’ 

 

Last winter, Goldman joined Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) in introducing the ‘Preventing Private Paramilitary Activity Act’ to protect citizens from intimidation and mass mobilizations of paramilitary groups. The legislation would federally prohibit those in private paramilitary organizations from conducting activity with firearms. 

 

In the leadup to the 2024 election, Goldman joined Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) in sending a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to take additional steps to protect election officials, workers, and volunteers in their workers as they carry out their duties during the 2024 election.