Two police officers who protected the Capitol on January 6th were booed by Republican state lawmakers during an event in Pennsylvania where they were being honored for their heroic actions. Sergeant Gonnell and Officer Dunn, who have been traveling the nation to raise awareness about threats to democracy, were met with boos and disrespectful behavior from some Republican representatives.
Despite the negative reception, Sergeant Gonnell, a retired sergeant and Iraq War veteran, expressed his lack of surprise at the behavior, citing the ongoing support for insurrectionists by some elected officials. He emphasized that their actions on January 6th were not politically motivated but a fulfillment of their duty to protect the Capitol.
While some Republicans approached Sergeant Gonnell to apologize for their colleagues' behavior, others chose to walk out or turn their backs during the officers' introduction. The officers were not there to make a political statement but to observe the workings of the government.
Sergeant Gonnell, who has been campaigning for Joe Biden in key swing states, highlighted the stark differences between Biden and former President Trump, particularly in their attitudes towards the events of January 6th. He expressed concerns about potential retaliation from Trump but remained steadfast in his opposition to the former president's rhetoric.
In response to the Republicans who booed and walked out, Sergeant Gonnell urged them to acknowledge the reality of what happened on January 6th and engage in meaningful conversations rather than dismissing the officers' experiences. He emphasized the importance of truth and respect for law enforcement officers, regardless of political affiliations.
