News24com IN QUOTES Police officers recount horror of attack on the US Capitol

The US Capitol building.

Stephanie Keith, Getty Images via AFP

Four police officers who faced attacks and racial slurs as they defended the US Capitol on 6 January from a riot by then-President Donald Trump's supporters were the first on Tuesday to testify before a US House of Representatives investigatory committee.

It was the first hearing before the nine-member panel comprised of seven Democrats and two Republicans.

READ | Racial slurs, 'medieval acts of violence': Probe into US Capitol riots begins

Here are some quotes from Tuesday's hearing:

Committee chairperson Bennie Thompson

"Some people are trying to deny what happened. To whitewash it. ... Let’s be clear. The rioters who tried to rob us of our democracy were propelled here by a lie."

Republican representative Liz Cheney

"If those responsible are not held accountable, and if Congress does not act responsibly, this will remain a cancer on our constitutional republic."

US Capitol police officer Aquilino Gonell

"The rioters called me a 'traitor,' a 'disgrace,' and shouted that I (an Army veteran and police officer) should be 'executed.'

"... What we were subjected to that day was like something from a medieval battlefield. We fought hand-to-hand and inch-by-inch to prevent an invasion of the Capitol by a violent mob intent on subverting our democratic process.

"... After order finally had been restored at the Capitol and after many exhausting hours, I arrived home at nearly 04:00 on 7 January. I had to push away my wife from hugging me because of all the chemicals that covered my body," Gonell said, fighting back tears. "I couldn’t sleep because the chemicals reactivated after I took a shower, and my skin was still burning."

"... As an immigrant to the United States, I am especially proud to have defended the US Constitution and our democracy on 6 January."

Share this post