Ex-Capitol Police Officer Predicts Trump Could Flee the U.S. and Live in Exile

Former Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, who defended the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, predicted in an interview that Donald Trump could ultimately abandon the country and spend his later years living abroad. Fanone compared the possible outcome to the exile of notorious leaders and said he envisioned Trump boarding a private jet and finding refuge overseas.

“I foresee he’ll be hopping on that Qatari jet to Saudi Arabia and living out the remainder of his days in some guest house of the Saudi prince,” Fanone told journalist Tommy Christopher. “I think things are gonna get a whole hell of a lot worse before they get any better.”

Fanone, 45, was among the officers assaulted by supporters of President Trump during the Jan. 6 attack. He has described being beaten, repeatedly tasered and suffering cardiac arrest and a traumatic brain injury as a result of the violence.

From the Capitol to the Spotlight

Since the attack, Fanone has written Hold the Line: The Insurrection and One Cop's Battle for America's Soul and become an outspoken critic of Mr. Trump and factions of the Republican Party. He warned that if the GOP suffers setbacks in upcoming elections, Trump could become politically isolated—and potentially more dangerous if he feels cornered.

“People are their most dangerous when they’re cornered and they have nothing left to lose,” Fanone said, arguing that intense investigations or criminal exposure would heighten risks. He added that, if free and fair elections are held in 2026, the chance of Trump escaping intense scrutiny or legal inquiry is "slim to none."

Fanone also described receiving threats and intimidation after testifying about the January 6 attack, citing pressure from far-right groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.

Accusations and Broader Concerns

Fanone accused Trump of using the presidency to enrich himself and seek retribution against political opponents. “It’s his war on America. It’s just, ‘I just want to go scorched earth against all Americans for not re-electing me in 2020,’” Fanone said, calling it a “retribution tour.” He added that Trump ‘‘doesn’t care who he destroys, as long as he stays out of jail, gets his retribution, and makes billions of dollars off of crypto.’’

The comments come amid wider debate over Trump’s rhetoric and conduct. At times he has suggested using extraordinary powers and has, in public remarks, at least flirted with the idea of stronger centralized authority—comments that critics have compared to authoritarian posturing.

Commentators including author Michael Wolff have warned that Trump’s approach could provoke self-destructive dynamics within his political operation, particularly after electoral setbacks. The events of Jan. 6 remain central to that debate: police tried to restrain a crowd gathered at a Trump rally from stopping the certification of the election results; five people died, many were injured, and roughly 1,500 people were arrested for crimes related to the riot.

This piece reports the views and predictions of Michael Fanone and other commentators; they represent opinions about possible futures rather than established outcomes.