Former Capitol Police officer Aquilino Gonell publicly accused Attorney General Todd Blanche of hypocrisy after Blanche pledged that the Justice Department would prosecute anyone who harms federal officers. Gonell posted photos of the injuries he suffered on Jan. 6, 2021, and pointed to President Trump’s pardons of nearly 1,600 people connected to the attack. The pardons prompted widespread condemnation from officers and former officers, who say the moves have undercut accountability for the violence. The dispute highlights ongoing anger among law-enforcement personnel over how Jan. 6 has been handled politically.
Jan. 6 Officer Calls Out AG Todd Blanche’s 'Hypocrisy' After Rally Pledge to Protect Federal Officers
Officer Injured During Jan. 6 Calls Out Todd Blanche's Hypocrisy After Trump Rally Comments
Former U.S. Capitol Police officer Aquilino Gonell publicly challenged Attorney General Todd Blanche after Blanche addressed law enforcement at a pro-Trump rally on Long Island, New York.
"In my Department of Justice, if anybody touches a federal law enforcement officer in any way inappropriate, we will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law," Blanche told the crowd.
Gonell responded immediately on social media, posting photographs of the injuries he sustained during the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. Alongside the images he accused political leaders of hypocrisy, writing:
"Your president pardoned people who did this to me and like you, he wants to make the lives whole or better than before January 6 while not giving a **** about officers."
Context And Fallout
Gonell is one of more than 140 officers who were injured during the Capitol attack. The violence included the death of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who later suffered strokes, and the subsequent suicides of four officers who had responded to the assault.
On his first day back in office, former President Donald Trump issued broad pardons covering nearly 1,600 people charged or convicted in connection with the Jan. 6 attack. Those pardons drew sharp criticism from officers who say they undercut accountability for the violence that day.
Responses From Law Enforcement Veterans
Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn rejected the Republican Party’s claim to be the party of law and order, saying lawmakers’ silence and failure to push back against the pardons make that claim hard to take seriously. Former Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges called the pardons an early example of how presidential power was used to shield those who tried to obstruct the transfer of power.
The exchange between Gonell and Blanche underscores continuing tensions between law-enforcement veterans who suffered during the insurrection and political leaders whose actions, critics say, have diminished consequences for those involved.
Mental Health Resources
If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988, visit 988lifeline.org, or find local crisis resources at dontcallthepolice.com. For international resources, see the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
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