On the evening of January 20, 2025, as President Donald Trump commenced his second inauguration, former Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell intentionally silenced his phone and placed it aside to momentarily disconnect from the flood of news. After spending time with family and taking his dog for a lengthy walk, Gonell's phone suddenly erupted with calls and messages from federal prosecutors, FBI agents, and officials at the Bureau of Prisons. The notifications informed him that the newly inaugurated president had issued pardons to approximately 1,500 individuals convicted for their involvement in the violent Capitol breach on January 6, 2021.
The pardons notably included rioters who had inflicted injuries upon Gonell and other officers who had valiantly attempted to secure the Capitol. "They told me that people I testified against were being released from prison," Gonell reflected. "And to be mindful." On that fateful day, Gonell was positioned at the central West Front entrance, where Congress was in the process of certifying Joe Biden’s presidential victory amid an unprecedented assault by hundreds of supporters aligned with Trump's baseless election fraud claims. While resisting the mob, Gonell was forcibly pulled into the crowd by his shoulder straps to the brink of suffocation. The injuries he sustained to his shoulder and foot continue to cause him pain. He testified about these wounds during legal proceedings.
"These pardons and efforts to downplay the attack feel like attempts to erase my service," Gonell lamented. "I lost my career and health, and ever since, I have been striving to rebuild my life."
Five years removed from the siege, Gonell and several other officers who stood against the rioters are endeavoring to come to terms with the events, particularly in light of Trump's decisive reelection in 2024 and his controversial pardons. Their challenges have been further exacerbated by statements from the Republican president and allied lawmakers that diminish the severity of the violence confronted by law enforcement.
Officer Daniel Hodges of the Metropolitan Police Department, who endured injuries while fighting in proximity to Gonell within a tunnel at the West Front, described the past year as especially taxing. Hodges recounted multiple assaults, including being trapped by heavy doors, assaulted in the head, and crying out for aid amidst the turmoil. "Many aspects have deteriorated," Hodges stated.
More than 140 officers suffered injuries during the escalating violence on January 6. Thomas Manger, who assumed the role of Capitol Police Chief six months post-riot, stated in a recent interview that incoming officers were not only battling physical harm but also harboring resentment over inadequate training and equipment to confront the unexpectedly aggressive crowd. Several officers have expressed to journalists that the most difficult aspect has been the widespread attempts to minimize the riot’s violence, despite extensive video and photographic evidence documenting the chaos.
President Trump has described the rioters he pardoned—including those who violently assaulted officers—as “patriots” and termed them “hostages.” He labeled their convictions as “a grave national injustice.”
Adam Eveland, a former District of Columbia police officer who fought off the rioters and aided in clearing them from Capitol grounds, criticized the presidential pardons as unjust. "If pardons were to be granted, there should have been a comprehensive review of all cases," he said. "Processing this has been difficult." Similarly, former Capitol Police Officer Winston Pingeon, who left the force months after the attack, asserted that these pardons obliterated the limited justice that existed.
Since July 2021, Hodges and Gonell have publicly recounted their experiences, including testimony before the Democratic-led House committee investigating January 6. While they have received support, they have also faced opposition. At an October Senate hearing on political violence, where Hodges again testified under a Democratic invitation, Republican-called witnesses affirmatively supported the pardons of rioters, including those who harmed officers like Hodges. Hodges contested the notion that the assault was nonviolent and remains an active Washington police officer.
The skepticism extends beyond political adversaries to include friends and family members. Eveland noted that he has struggled most with the public’s perception of the events and the dismissiveness from some close to him, including fellow police officers. "Ideology is powerful," he observed, "and it’s challenging to reconcile differing views on what transpired."
In response to the aftermath, Chief Manger emphasized the department’s need to enhance support mechanisms. At his arrival, no wellness or counseling services were available, prompting their introduction to assist officers involved in the confrontation. Manger, who retired in May, also directed comprehensive reforms in training, equipment upgrades, operational strategies, and intelligence gathering. He asserted that the Capitol’s security posture has significantly improved, declaring the premises far safer and that a repeat of the January 6 breach would likely be prevented.
Former officer Pingeon described the post-event changes as transformative, deeming the department nearly unrecognizable compared to its condition at and immediately after the insurrection. He indicated that the riot was a catalyst for his departure and relocation to Massachusetts. To cope with his trauma, Pingeon has engaged in creating art depicting the Capitol and his tenure there and has dedicated efforts to promoting nonviolence, expressing a readiness to forgive.
Gonell, who was compelled to leave the Capitol Police due to his injuries, has not resumed service but aspires to reenter the workforce. He authored a book about his experiences and continues to manage post-traumatic stress disorder related to the attack.
While many officers remain reserved about their experience, Eveland elected to share his story publicly to logically engage others and foster understanding. Nonetheless, he acknowledged the challenge that not all will comprehend or empathize with his ordeal. "My responsibility is to tell my story and hope those who respect me will listen," he concluded.