Former D.C. Metropolitan Police officer Michael Fanone is currently on a nationwide tour to share his personal experience of being injured during the attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump on Jan. 6, 2021. Standing in front of the Wisconsin Capitol building, Fanone is determined to tell his story and shed light on the events of that fateful day.
After the September 11 attacks in 2001, Michael Fanone embarked on his journey as a police officer.
On January 6, 2021, the events that unfolded at the U.S. Capitol marked a turning point for him. He endured a harrowing ordeal, enduring physical assault, torture, a heart attack, and a concussion at the hands of rioters who aimed to disrupt the peaceful transition of power from then-President Donald Trump to the incoming president-elect, Joe Biden.
The 9/11 attacks had a profound impact on his career. Fanone, who was previously working as a construction worker, witnessed the devastating events as jets crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, resulting in the loss of countless lives. His construction site in D.C. closed down early that day, and he vividly remembers the presence of police officers deployed across the city, prepared for any potential threats, including an attempt to crash a plane into the Capitol. Reflecting on the gravity of the situation, he felt compelled to join the police force.
The life of the security guard was profoundly impacted by the events of Jan. 6, when the assault took place on the very building he was tasked with protecting.
In an interview on Tuesday in Madison, Fanone expressed his belief that this is a pivotal moment. He emphasized that his focus is not on the outcome, but rather on taking every possible action to raise awareness about the events of January 6th.
Fanone, a former member of the D.C. Metropolitan Police, has embarked on a nationwide tour organized by Courage for America. This organization was established in the wake of the January 6 attack and aims to address political violence while also opposing the current Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
During his visit to Wisconsin this week, he took the time to meet with student journalists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and engage in discussions with local leaders.
In his mission, he expressed his aim to educate people about the events of January 6. Drawing from his personal experience on that fateful day, he hopes to shed light on the gravity and brutality of the situation. By doing so, he aspires to encourage further investigation into the circumstances that led to the storming of the Capitol. He believes that by understanding the lies and manipulation employed by politicians to incite Americans, individuals will gain a deeper comprehension of the events that unfolded.
During his visit to La Crosse, the focus was primarily on addressing the issue of accountability, which greatly interests him. In the 3rd Congressional District, Derrick Van Orden currently holds the position of representative. However, what troubles him is the fact that Van Orden was present at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, not as a police officer or someone in a protective capacity, but as a member of the mob. This personal affront makes Van Orden’s tenure in Congress an issue of great concern to him.
Fanone is particularly angered by Van Orden’s actions, given his background as a retired Navy SEAL who served his country in such a significant capacity. “That individual should have known better,” he expressed his frustration.
A native of Virginia, Fanone has become a well-known figure in ongoing coverage of the Capitol attack. He testified before the House select committee that investigated the events of January 6 and has been vocal ever since.
During his testimony before the select committee, Fanone recounted the terrifying moments when he and his fellow officers found themselves trapped in a Capitol tunnel, surrounded by a dangerous mob of rioters.
During his usual duties with the D.C. police force, Fanone specialized in investigating narcotics cases. However, on January 6th, he and his fellow officers were called upon to aid the Capitol Police. Their tasks involved safeguarding local establishments and maintaining control over the streets, which had been closed off for the rally organized by supporters of former President Trump.
By the time his mid-afternoon shift began, the Capitol had already been breached. Fanone, eager to fulfill his duty, arrived early and went straight to the Capitol. Once there, he received a distress call from an access tunnel and promptly made his way to the location alongside a fellow officer.
A group of officers, mainly from the D.C. department, found themselves trapped in the tunnel after being overwhelmed by rioters while inside the Capitol. Injured cops sought refuge in nearby tunnels, and their fellow officers worked tirelessly to provide assistance. According to Fanone, they faced difficulties in getting paramedics or any form of medical aid into the building due to the lack of security.
“If the crowd of rioters outside the tunnel had managed to break through the line of defending cops, we would have been trampled to death,” he said.
He was deeply shaken by the experience, but what shocked him even more was witnessing the dismissive attitude of certain members of Congress who had also been present that day. They seemed to downplay the violence and the significant revelations it brought forth.
Officer Fanone expressed his disbelief and pain over the indifference and sympathy shown towards the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Comparing it to the devastating events of 9/11, he emphasized the difficulty of accepting that such a catastrophic incident could occur on live television, yet some people chose not to care or even empathize. The sense of betrayal he feels from his own country is particularly hard to bear.
U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, a Georgia Republican, made a comment that excused the rioters, as recounted by Fanone.
Officer Fanone expressed his disbelief at the statement made by a particular individual, who described the events of January 6 as a typical day for tourists at the Capitol. Fanone highlighted the irony of this claim, as the person in question was present in the House chamber during the attack, evidenced by photographs showing him barricading the doors to protect himself and others. Fanone emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that it was both egregious and outrageous.
In Fanone’s perspective, he views the unadorned truth about the events of January 6th as something that GOP lawmakers find politically inconvenient. What appalls him the most is the fact that many of these lawmakers have served in the military and therefore understand the sacrifices made by police officers and public servants. They are also aware of the dangers that someone like Donald Trump poses to our democracy. However, their primary concern seems to be keeping their jobs rather than standing up for what is right. Fanone believes that whether these lawmakers have publicly downplayed the severity of the Capitol assault or have chosen to remain silent, their actions are equally cowardly.
Fanone expressed his anger at the continued lack of recognition for the significance of that day. He initially felt compassion and empathy, but the relentless attacks on his testimony have eroded those feelings.
Jan. 6 taught us an important lesson – the responsibility we each have in maintaining our democracy. It’s a valuable gift to be able to choose our leaders, but when we take it for granted, it becomes a heavy burden to correct our course.
According to Fanone, there is a concerning number of individuals who seem unaffected by the events of January 6. He further notes that many of these people have chosen to prioritize their political agenda over the integrity of our democratic system, believing that the ends justify the means.
“It’s truly alarming to witness the extent to which ideology seems to overshadow every other value,” he expressed his concerns. “It deeply troubles me to contemplate how deeply divided our nation has become, to the point where our responses to acts of extreme violence are dictated by our political affiliations or ideological beliefs.”
After recuperating from his injuries for several months, Fanone resumed his duties as a police officer in the autumn of 2021. However, he didn’t stay for long as he felt that he was being marginalized by the department’s leadership, eventually leading to his resignation a few months later. Since then, he has dedicated himself to raising awareness about the gravity of the events that took place on January 6.
He has experienced a newfound perspective as a result of the change.
“I used to be a police officer, and most of the people I interacted with were also in law enforcement,” he explained. “But now, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in conversations with individuals I would have never crossed paths with before. Through these encounters, I’ve learned about their unique experiences in this country, and it has truly transformed me.”
He also mentioned that the work has been cathartic for him and he considers it absolutely necessary.
Fanone emphasized that he is determined to take action rather than remain passive. He highlighted the importance of every interaction and conversation he engages in, recognizing their significance.
