Officer Michael Fanone Condemns Speaker Johnson’s Characterization of January 6 Rioters as “People Who Were Just There”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, former D.C. Police Officer and Courage for America Councilmember Michael Fanone, who was severely injured defending the Capitol on January 6th, condemned Speaker Mike Johnson’s characterization of January 6th rioters as “people who were just there and happened to be walking through the building.” Click here to watch the TV clip.

“This B.S. needs to stop. Though politically inconvenient for the likes of Speaker Johnson, the thousands of people who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6th were violent rioters who assaulted hundreds of police officers and tried to harm and kill our elected leaders. If the lies that led to the January 6th insurrection do not stop, history will repeat itself,” said Officer Michael Fanone. “This is the Speaker of the House who has a duty to support and defend the Constitution. He should know better.”

Officer Fanone’s January 6 Body Cam Footage:

• NBC (00:12-02:00)
• USA Today (01:55:36 – 01:57:15)
• CNN (01:03-05:46)
• ABC (00:15-00:21) + (00:29-01:55)
• WUSA-CBS (00:00-00:34) + (00:57-01:30)
• The Hill (04:07-04:13)

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About Courage for America

Courage for America is a campaign advised by a council of proud Americans speaking out against an extreme MAGA agenda that puts money and power over the rights and freedoms of the American people. The campaign is amplifying the voices of Americans in communities across the country — veterans, educators, faith leaders, and more — to demand the People’s House works for the people. courageforamerica.org