Pennsylvania Republicans abandon officers who defended the Capitol on January 6

When the two men – both injured by protesters on January 6 – were introduced, the House floor descended into chaos. According to Democratic lawmakers, several Republican lawmakers whistled and booed, with several Republicans leaving the chamber in protest.

“I heard some whistles and saw about eight to ten of my Republican colleagues walk out in anger when they were announced as U.S. Capitol Police officers on January 6th,” said state Rep. Arvind Venkat (D) in a phone interview Thursday. . . “I was shocked and horrified,” he added. According to Venkat, the commotion lasted for around five minutes. Fewer than 100 lawmakers, evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, were present in the chamber before the chaotic scene unfolded, he said.

The Pennsylvania House has 203 members – 102 Democrats and 101 Republicans.

Republicans’ strong rejection of the two officials on a key issue The battleground state underscores how polarizing the legacy of the Jan. 6 insurrection has become between the parties, to the point that supporting law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol from violent rioters is seen as politically controversial by some lawmakers.

Dunn and Gonell have also spoken out politically – both are traveling across Pennsylvania this week to campaign for President Biden’s re-election, including stops in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. Earlier this year, Dunn launched an unsuccessful bid to be nominated as a Democrat for a Maryland seat in the U.S. House.

Top Republicans who responded to The Washington Post’s requests for comment did not comment directly on the shutdown, but emphasized their support for law enforcement and accused Democratic lawmakers of politicizing the incident.

“I was in the Chamber plenary yesterday and spoke personally with the two former officers in the Chamber president’s gallery. I and other members of our caucus also took photos with the former officers,” House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler said in an emailed statement. He characterized Democratic lawmakers as “antagonizing members and inviting division and discord for their political and campaign purposes.”

George Dunbar, the Republican caucus chairman, said in an email that he “did not see who did what yesterday, but believes the House Democrats’ actions were designed for political purposes,” adding that he congratulated both officials and said the “deepest respect” for the Capitol Police officers “as well as all law enforcement authorities.”

Representative Jordan A. Harris (D) argued that “regardless of politics,” both officers deserve respect for putting their lives on the line on January 6th.

“Those two brave patriots stood up and protected our Capitol and democracy,” Harris said. “And for that they deserve our honor and respect.”

Harris noted that it’s not uncommon for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to celebrate other Americans who have served the country. Earlier this week, he said, they recognized a National Guard veteran. Capitol officers, he said, deserved to be received with the same respect.

“We talk about supporting blue, but people turned their backs on blue yesterday,” Harris said. “You talk about all the political things you want to talk about, [but] those men wore uniforms and badges, and that day they were in defense of our democracy and the United States Capitol. And for that they deserve respect and honor.”

Rep. Mike Schlossberg (D), who was also present, said in an email Wednesday that while “there were absolutely Republican members who applauded and stood,” a “majority did not.”

“It was embarrassing and shameful,” added Schlossberg, the Democratic caucus chairman. At one point, Schlossberg said, the boos and jeers got so loud “that the speaker of the House had to raise his voice to be heard over the noise.”

In a statement shared with The Post, House Speaker McClinton described the actions as “despicable.”

“These brave former police officers were disrespected by many Republican members who walked off the House floor, turned their backs and booed the officers. The disgraceful behavior of members of the Republican Party was unbecoming of our institution for any guest, let alone two of the men responsible for defending our democracy during a dark day in our nation’s history.”

Schlossberg said the reaction from his Republican counterparts was somewhat ironic.

“These brave men were injured while protecting elected officials in a government building, and my colleagues – elected officials who worked in a government building – had the audacity to show disrespect to men who protected people like them,” he said.

Dunn was pepper-sprayed and injured in hand-to-hand combat while defending the US Capitol on January 6. He has since launched a PAC to support anti-Trump candidates. “This is about democracy versus dictatorship,” he said at a campaign stop in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, according to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star.

Gonell was beaten during the Capitol riot and both hands were injured stopping an attacker from swinging a PVC pipe at a police officer who was not wearing a helmet. After Tuesday’s walkout, the Iraq War veteran accused Pennsylvania House Republicans of having “abandoned the truth” and “siding with those who attacked us.”

Mariana Alfaro contributed to this story.