Capitol Police officials calls 4 GOP lawmakers ‘pathetic’ in Jan. 6 inquiry

Tim Balk

Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell on Tuesday called a collection of GOP members of Congress “pathetic,” slamming them for organizing a news conference to demand answers about the treatment of jailed defendants in the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol.

“They shouldn’t be elected officials anymore,” Gonell told the House select committee probing the insurrection.

U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, from left, Washington Metropolitan Police Department officer Michael Fanone, Washington Metropolitan Police Department officer Daniel Hodges and U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Harry Dunn are sworn in to testify to the House select committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 27, 2021.


U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, from left, Washington Metropolitan Police Department officer Michael Fanone, Washington Metropolitan Police Department officer Daniel Hodges and U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Harry Dunn are sworn in to testify to the House select committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 27, 2021. (Andrew Harnik/)

Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Louie Gohmert (Texas), Paul Gosar (Ariz.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) attempted to hold a news conference Justice Department questioning the prosecution of Capitol rioters. But protesters drove them away.

Capitol police recount desperate fight on Jan. 6 against mob: ‘Like something from a medieval battle’

The four signed in a letter addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland and dated Saturday that said they had “concerns about reports of the conditions of the prison where these detainees are being held and whether, in fact, there have been instances of abuse inflicted by other prisoners or guards.”

Gonell joined Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, and two members of the D.C. Police to speak to Congress about the stunning day that rioters incited by former President Donald Trump rushed into the seat of the U.S. government.

Gonell also took a shot at Trump in the hearing when asked about Trump’s comment that he had witnessed a “loving crowd” in Washington on Jan. 6.

U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell becomes emotional as he testifies before the House select committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell becomes emotional as he testifies before the House select committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 27, 2021.


U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell becomes emotional as he testifies before the House select committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 27, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/)

“It’s upsetting — it’s a pathetic excuse for his behavior, for something that he himself helped to create,” said Gonell, who was injured in the riot. “I’m still recovering from those hugs and kisses.”

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