Retired Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone Joins Courage For America Council

“Thank you Jojo — and thank you Representative Crow, Representative Sherrill, Representative Houlahan, Representative Deluzio, Courage for America, Common Defense, members of the press, and this incredible group of veterans from across the country for being here today — particularly in light of the absolute chaos that’s unfolding in the race for Speaker.

But if I can guarantee one thing about the new House majority, it’s this: this is just the beginning. This type of chaos will happen every single day in this House, as some of the most extreme politicians our country has ever seen hold our democracy hostage.

I should know. Tomorrow marks two years since the day I almost died defending the Capitol from people who thought overthrowing our government would be a good idea.

The events of that day felt like a wake up call to me — and to many others — that political violence is real. The worst part is that elected leaders allowed it to happen.

And yet, this week, people who encouraged — and even attended — the insurrection are now taking their places as leaders in the new House majority. People like Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has said insurrectionists would have “won” on January 6th if she was involved; or Representative Matt Gaetz, who encouraged voters to arm themselves at the polls; or newly sworn-in Representative Derrick Van Orden, who breached police barricades with the insurrectionist mob on January 6th.

Yesterday, I delivered a letter to GOP House leaders signed by over a thousand veterans, active duty service members, and military family members demanding that they condemn political violence in all of its forms. We cannot afford to brush political violence under the rug, or turn a blind eye when others encourage it.

I’ve spent a lot of time over the last two years thinking about what it means to be courageous, and how I can best demonstrate courage in this moment. For me, being courageous means speaking out so my four daughters can live in a country without fear of the political violence from the MAGA movement that is putting their futures at risk.

That’s why, today, I’m proud to announce that I am joining the council of Courage for America, a new campaign pushing back against the Republican House’s extreme MAGA agenda that puts political power over the rights and freedoms of Americans.

I refuse to stay silent on a matter that affects all of us. I thank you all for speaking out with me.

To the new Speaker of the House — whoever the hell that ends up being — and other GOP House leaders, here’s my message to you: You have this job because you promised to represent the people. We, the people, are calling on you now to condemn political violence. As you take on your new roles, I will be watching and waiting for public statements from each and every one of you to do just that. Enough is enough.

Thank you.”