After January 6th: Why I’m Still Fighting for Our Democracy

My name is Harry Dunn. I served as a United States Capitol Police Officer for over 15 years. I was on duty on January 6th, 2021, when a violent mob stormed the Capitol—fueled by lies, incited by power, and determined to overturn a free and fair election. That day, they called me a traitor. They hurled racist slurs. They threatened to end my life.

But we held the line.

We defended democracy in its hour of greatest need—not because it was easy, but because it was right. And we did so at great personal cost.

What happened on January 6th wasn’t just a riot. It was an attempt to break the very foundation of this country. And while the physical barriers have been repaired, the damage to our democracy is still being felt—every single day.

That’s why I’m writing this Substack.

Because the fight didn’t end when the last rioter left the Capitol steps. In many ways, the fight is just beginning.

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In the years since January 6th, I’ve testified before Congress. I’ve stood with fellow officers, many of whom carry visible and invisible wounds. I’ve watched some of the very people who incited the attack walk the halls of power without remorse, without accountability, and without shame.

But I haven’t backed down.

Now, I’m taking this fight to the page. Here on this Substack, I will share what I’m seeing. What I’m doing. Who I’m holding accountable. And how we keep going when the odds are long, the threats are real, and the stakes are nothing less than the future of American democracy.

I’ll be writing about:

• The disinformation war still raging online and on-air

• Extremism in American politics and the threats it poses

• Why truth still matters—and how we defend it

• The path forward, and what real leadership looks like

This isn’t about partisanship. This is about patriotism.

If you're still reading this, I want to thank you. You care. You’re paying attention. And I hope you’ll join me—not just as a reader, but as a partner in the work ahead.

Let’s not forget what we saw on January 6th. Let’s not forget who stood up and who stayed silent.

Let’s keep fighting—for democracy, for justice, and for each other.

– Harry Dunn