This week, I testified on Capitol Hill and Called out Donald Trump

This week, I had the solemn duty to testify before the United States Senate with a simple but urgent message: we cannot forget what happened on January 6, 2021. That day was not just an attack on a building—it was an attack on democracy, on truth, and on the rule of law. As someone who stood on the front lines that day, witnessing firsthand the violence and chaos unleashed on the Capitol, I know how dangerous it is to ignore the warning signs of political extremism.

The Senate’s spotlight hearing focused on the alarming pattern of behavior surrounding President Donald Trump’s pardons for those involved in the Capitol riot. These pardons were not merely legal decisions; they sent a chilling message—that political violence in service of one man’s power is not only excusable, but commendable. The individuals who assaulted the Capitol were not held accountable in the way justice demands—they were embraced. Some even celebrated their pardons with pride.

This isn’t just about the past. It’s about the present and the future. The hearing also exposed the disturbing retaliation efforts against those who dared to investigate or prosecute the insurrection. Figures like Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, and Ed Martin continue to push a false narrative about January 6, attempting to rewrite history and paint rioters as patriots instead of criminals. These attempts to sanitize the truth only further erode trust in our institutions and normalize future political violence.

During the hearing, I was asked a question by Senator Cory Booker: “Do you feel that Donald Trump has given license to political violence?” I didn’t hesitate. Yes. And it wipes away any sense of accountability. Those who received pardons didn’t express remorse—they embraced them like badges of honor. It’s hard to describe how demoralizing that is for someone like me, who put everything on the line to defend that building, those lawmakers, and the Constitution.

But this hearing wasn’t just about the past. It was also about the present—and the danger we’re still in. Trump allies like Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, and Ed Martin are working overtime to rewrite history. They downplay what happened. They defend the rioters. They lie. And in doing so, they make it easier for something like January 6 to happen again.

Senator Blumenthal asked me another question: “Can we restore a sense of respect for the rule of law?” I told him I’m hopeful—but only if we act. If we sit back and do nothing, if we let lies go unchallenged, if we let violence be rewarded with power, then no, we won’t restore anything. We’ll just lose more of what makes this country worth fighting for.

I also want to recognize my fellow officers—those who fought beside me, who bled, who suffered, and who still carry the scars. This hearing honored them too. We didn’t just hold a line of defense that day—we held the line for democracy.

What happened on January 6 wasn’t just a riot—it was an attempted coup. And now, with Trump back in power and his loyalists working to erase the truth, it’s clear the threat didn’t end when the Capitol was cleared. That threat is alive. It’s organized. And it’s still led by the same man.

We must never forget what happened. We must never stop speaking out. And we must never stop fighting for the truth. Because if we do, we risk losing the very soul of this nation.