Pennsylvania GOP Lawmakers Boo & Jeer Police Officers Who Defended Capitol On Jan. 6 During Speeches

In a stark display of the continued partisan divide over the January 6 attack, two police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on the fateful day faced a hostile reception from GOP lawmakers at a visit to the Pennsylvania state House on Wednesday.

Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and former U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell were introduced by Democratic state House Speaker Joanna McClinton as part of their statewide tour to discuss the threat to American democracy. However, their appearance was met with jeers, boos and walkouts from a majority of Republican lawmakers, while Democrats in the chamber stood and applauded the officers.

The stark contrast in reactions underscores the deep political chasm that remains over the events of January 6, 2021. Democrats praised the former officers’ heroism and sacrifice, while Republicans, many of whom have continued to downplay or deny the severity of the attack, responded with derision and disrespect.

“All Democrats stood and applauded the officers, while a majority of Republicans either remained seated — while not applauding — began booing or left the floor,” said Majority Caucus Chair Mike Schlossberg in a statement.

Dunn and Gonell have been vocal advocates for accountability and have criticized Trump’s rhetoric in the lead-up to the attack. In statements that followed the Pennsylvania incident, they expressed disappointment but little surprise at the Republican lawmakers’ behavior, noting that it was “sad though unsurprising” that the former president’s allies “followed his lead in mocking the January 6 attack on the Capitol and embracing political violence.”

The officers’ visit to the state House came as Congress missed a March 2023 deadline for the installation of a plaque honoring the officers who responded to the January 6 attack, further underscoring the lingering political tensions surrounding the events of that day.

The partisan divide was on full display, with Democrats condemning the Republican lawmakers’ actions as “a shameful show of disrespect for heroes” and “despicable behavior,” while Republican House Leader Bryan Cutler accused Democrats of using the officers’ appearance for political gain.