Officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6 say their struggles linger, 5 years after the riot
ABC News••nation
Key Points:
- Former Capitol Police officers injured during the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot are struggling with the aftermath, especially after President Donald Trump’s 2025 pardons of about 1,500 rioters, including those who harmed officers like Sgt. Aquilino Gonell.
- Officers like Gonell and Daniel Hodges report ongoing physical and emotional trauma, compounded by political rhetoric minimizing the violence and the pardons, which they feel erase justice for their sacrifices.
- The Capitol Police department has since improved training, equipment, and officer wellness programs under former Chief Thomas Manger, making the Capitol significantly safer than on Jan. 6.
- Many officers continue to face public skepticism about the severity of the attack, even from
