Ex-police officer who defended Capitol on Jan. 6 announced to run for Congress

Ex-police officer who defended Capitol on Jan. 6 announced to run for Congress. In a bold move, former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn announced his candidacy for Congress in Maryland.

The announcement comes just a day before the third anniversary of the harrowing January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of fervent Donald Trump supporters.

Dunn, who played a crucial role in defending the Capitol against the rioters, declared his candidacy, emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard and preserve democracy in an interview.

“This moment that we are in requires everybody to step up and step into their role in defending and preserving democracy, and I’m stepping into mine right now,” Dunn stated.

Dunn’s interest in public service has been longstanding, but the recent announcement by Maryland Rep. John Sarbanes that he would not seek reelection presented a strategic opportunity for Dunn to enter the political arena. Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District, a heavily Democratic jurisdiction stretching between Baltimore and the nation’s capital, has become a focal point for a crowded Democratic primary.

Making his candidacy public on X (formerly known as Twitter), Dunn minced no words in linking his political aspirations to the events of January 6th. He asserted that Donald Trump remained “hell-bent on finishing what he started” three years ago.

Dunn’s tweet encapsulated his motivation, stating, “On January 6th, I defended our democracy from insurrectionists as a Capitol Police Officer. After, President Biden honored me with the Presidential Citizens Medal. Today, I’m running for Congress to stop Trump’s MAGA extremists & ensure it never happens again.”

Reflecting on the emotional toll of the past three years, Dunn admitted that the memories of January 6th had been a constant presence in his thoughts. Describing it as a “rollercoaster ride of emotions,” he acknowledged feelings of anger, sadness, and even joy at witnessing convictions in court for those involved in the riot.

The legal aftermath of the Capitol riot has been extensive, with over 1,230 people facing federal charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies like assaulting police officers and seditious conspiracy. Approximately 730 individuals have pleaded guilty, and around 170 have been convicted at trials decided by judges or juries, according to an Associated Press database.

Dunn’s concern extends beyond the legal consequences. He expressed a sense of “horror about the track that the country is on,” emphasizing that the nation might be just one election cycle away from a potential extinction of democracy as currently understood. This stark assessment underscores the gravity of the challenges facing the nation and fuels Dunn’s determination to actively participate in shaping its future.

The decision to run for Congress is not without sacrifices. Dunn, who served as a Capitol police officer for 15 years, recently stepped down from his position to pursue his political ambitions. His unique experience as a frontline defender of democracy during the Capitol attack positions him as a candidate with invaluable insights into the complexities of the political landscape.

In his interview, Dunn emphasized the value of his firsthand experience in Congress. Having witnessed the infighting on the floors and in the halls of Congress, he believes his perspective, both as a defender of democracy and as an observer of the political workings, sets him apart. “I’ve been on the frontlines, physically fighting for democracy, seeing the infighting on the floors in the halls of Congress, seeing members of Congress not even be able to have common decent discussions with each other,” he remarked.

Dunn sees his candidacy as an ideological pushback against those seeking to undermine democracy. His belief in the importance of good people standing up in troubled times resonates with his decision to enter politics despite acknowledging the toxicity of the current political climate.

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