Ex-Capitol Police Sergeant Implores Trump Not To Make An 'Outrageous Mistake'

LOADING ERROR LOADING A former U.S. Capitol Police officer who suffered serious injuries in the Jan. 6 insurrection reflected on his trauma and implored Donald Trump not to pardon his attackers in a New York Times op-ed marking four years since the violence. “Over the last four years, it’s been devastating to me to hear Donald Trump repeat his promise to pardon insurrectionists on the first day he’s back in office,” he wrote, noting that Trump has referred to those convicted as “hostages” and “peaceful protesters.” “But all of us who were there and anyone who watched on TV know that those who stormed the Capitol were not peaceful protesters,” Gonnell said. “Pardoning them would be an outrageous mistake, one that could mean about 800 convicted criminals will be back on the street.” Gonnell also said pardons could endanger him, “as I’ve continued to testify in court and I’ve given victim statements in cases against dozens of the rioters who assaulted me and my fellow officers.” Gonell and other ex-law enforcement officers — such as Harry Dunn and Michael Fanone — who have spoken out about the violence they survived have faced vitriol and hate from election deniers and Trump supporters as the president-elect and his allies whitewash the events of Jan. 6. “If Mr. Trump wants to heal our divided nation, he’ll let their convictions stand.” He slammed the “ongoing whitewashing” and “collective amnesia of right-wing politicians who aren’t willing to hold Mr. Trump accountable.” “Mr. It’s hard to witness a rich white man get rewarded for treachery while I’m punished for fulfilling my duty.” Congress meets on Monday to certify Trump’s election victory four years after a mob of his supporters laid siege to the Capitol in an attempt to halt that process for President Joe Biden’s 2020 win.