WASHINGTON — The aftermath of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot continues to reverberate through the lives of those involved, especially law enforcement officers like former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell. As Donald Trump embarked on a second term after his inauguration on January 20, 2025, Gonell faced the disturbing news that the new president had pardoned approximately 1,500 individuals convicted for their actions during that tumultuous day. Among those pardoned were rioters who had assaulted Gonell while he and his fellow officers struggled to defend the Capitol.
Gonell, who had switched his phone to “do not disturb” mode to escape the day’s political turbulence, was alerted by federal authorities about the pardons targeting individuals he had previously testified against in court. “They told me that people I testified against were being released from prison,” he recounted. The tension stemming from such news prompted reflection among officers who had been on the front lines during the riot.
On that fateful day, Gonell was among those defending the Capitol’s West Front entrance as a mob stormed the building, inspired by false claims of a stolen election. The chaotic scenes unfolded as Congress was set to certify Joe Biden’s victory. Gonell described the harrowing moment when he was dragged into the crowd, struggling to fend off attackers and nearly suffocating in the process. The physical and emotional toll has lingered for him, as he continues to deal with injuries sustained during the riot.
Nearly five years after the Capitol siege, Gonell and his peers are grappling with the lingering trauma, particularly now that Trump has been decisively elected again and has granted pardons to those who disrupted the democratic process. Their ongoing battle is not only against physical injuries but also against narratives that downplay the violence they witnessed that day. Officer Daniel Hodges, another officer injured during the events of January 6, shared his sentiments: “It’s been a difficult year.”
During the riot, more than 140 police officers suffered injuries as clashes intensified throughout the day. Both Hodges and Gonell have been vocal about their experiences, providing testimony in various governmental forums. Their stories are complicated by the responses they receive from the public and the political climate surrounding the events.
Former Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger, who took over six months after the riot, acknowledged the considerable anger among officers regarding inadequate training and equipment. This deficiency became apparent during the unexpected violence of January 6. In the wake of the riot, Manger emphasized the importance of restructuring support services for officers, implementing wellness programs, and improving the overall preparedness of the department.
This transformation aims to create a safer environment at the Capitol, where Manger believes officers would be better equipped to handle any potential future incidents. He indicated a notable shift in resources and strategies since the riot, stating, “If a similar event were to happen again, they would have never breached the building.” Former officers like Winston Pingeon, who left the department shortly after the riot, noted that the Capitol Police has evolved significantly and is “unrecognizable” compared to the state it was in during the insurrection.
Despite these improvements, many officers still wrestle with the psychological impact of the attack, which continues to haunt their lives. For Gonell, the wounds remain open, as he retains post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from the violence he endured. His journey has led him to share his experiences through public discussions, helping raise awareness about the complexities surrounding January 6. He insists: “The only thing I can do is tell my story, and hopefully, the people who respect me will eventually listen.”
As the narrative surrounding the Capitol riot continues to evolve, the experiences of those who defended the building serve as a chilling reminder of the cost of political division and the lasting scars of that fateful day.