January 6, Four Years Later: Reflections on Courage and Accountability
Four years after the insurrection at the US Capitol, SOC hosted 鈥淛anuary 6th, Four Years Later,鈥 an American Forum panel discussion moderated by SOC Associate Professor Jane Hall. The event featured two former law enforcement officers who responded to the attack: Officer Danny Hodges of the Metropolitan Police Department and former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn. Both men have been vocal about their experiences on January 6, 2021, testifying before the congressional committee investigating the attack and advocating for accountability in its aftermath. The event was co-sponsored by the Kennedy Political Union.听
The officers reflected on the physical and emotional toll the insurrection had taken on them, personally, the dangers of increasing political violence, and the role of the media in shaping public perception. Their message was clear: accountability, truth, and a commitment to democratic values remain essential in preventing future attacks on the nation鈥檚 institutions.听听
More than 150 officers were injured that day, including Hodges, who was pinned in a revolving door by an insurrectionist wielding a police shield 鈥 a moment that became widely recognized in a viral video. Both Hodges and Dunn were later awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Citizens Medal by former President Joe Biden in recognition of their service.听听
Addressing President Donald Trump鈥檚 pardons of January 6 insurrectionists, Hodges remarked, 鈥淭he die was cast for this on November 5. It was very predictable that this was going to happen, but it鈥檚 still depressing to see in real-time.鈥 Dunn added, 鈥淭he reason we testified was for accountability, so we were seeking that, and to have it ripped away 鈥 it sucked. But we had time to prepare for it. We knew it was coming.鈥 He expressed frustration at those who were surprised by the pardons, stating, 鈥淚f you鈥檙e shocked, you weren鈥檛 paying attention. We spent four years trying to get people to pay attention and to care.鈥澨
When discussing President Trump鈥檚 influence over the Republican Party, Hodges noted, 鈥淚t shows how total Trump鈥檚 control is over his party. The only people who have ever spoken out against him get completely excommunicated.鈥 Dunn echoed this sentiment, warning of the broader implications. 鈥淭hey continue to normalize [political violence]. When you have, arguably, the most powerful person in the world normalizing this type of behavior, why wouldn鈥檛 somebody who believes in it say, 鈥榊ou know what, I'm going to do it too鈥?鈥澨
Regarding the media鈥檚 role in shaping public narratives about January 6, Hall pointed out how the framing of the event has shifted in some circles.鈥淪omehow you have gone from heroes, in some people鈥檚 minds, to somehow you鈥檙e the problem, which must be a fairly strange sensation for you.鈥 Dunn responded by criticizing mainstream media鈥檚 failure to push back against misinformation, repeatedly stating that it is the media鈥檚 responsibility to counter conspiracy theories rather than dismissing them as marginal beliefs.听听
Hodges reflected on the attack itself, describing the overwhelming force of the mob. 鈥淭hey had a very specific mission in mind, which was to 鈥榮top the steal,鈥 and they pushed forward through whatever we threw at them.鈥 He highlighted the continued denial of the insurrection鈥檚 reality, stating, 鈥淚t鈥檚 patently obvious to anyone who looks at it why they were there, who they were there for. Unfortunately, people still want to believe otherwise, because if they didn鈥檛, they would have to come to terms with the fact that their identity is built around this group that attacked the United States Capitol and beat police officers.鈥澨
Officers Hodges and Dunn on Why They Still Speak Out
In this American Forum video, Hodges and Dunn spoke about their continued work to combat misinformation and lies about January 6 in today鈥檚 media and political environment.