“Let me be clear: this legislation is a thinly veiled attempt to use xenophobia to perpetuate the Big Lie and lay the groundwork for another insurrection.” 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the House passed another Big Lie Bill, the so-called SAVE Act, which the Republican House Majority is using to further perpetuate the Big Lie and lay the groundwork for the next insurrection. Below are statements from Courage for America Spokesperson José Morales Jr. and Councilmember Aquilino Gonell:

“Simply put, today House Republicans pledged allegiance to the Big Lie. They are pushing this lie of noncitizens voting as a ploy to dismantle our democratic institutions and double-down on their lies surrounding the 2020 election and the January 6th insurrection. Instead of protecting our democracy from the Big Lie, the Republican Majority is fear mongering and using immigrants as scapegoats to further restrict our access to the ballot box in November. As an immigrant myself, this is disheartening but unsurprising,” said Courage for America Councilmember Sergeant Aquilino Gonell. “Americans need to see that Speaker Mike Johnson and MAGA Republicans in Congress are using this bill to attack our democracy, spread baseless lies, and instill distrust in our secure and sacred democratic process. We must remain vigilant as we approach January 6, 2025 to stop the threat of another insurrection in the future.”

“Let me be clear: this Big Lie Bill lays the groundwork for another insurrection. By pushing this forward, Speaker Johnson and House Republicans demonstrate once again that they care more about doing the bidding of former President Donald Trump than addressing the needs of the American people,” said José Morales Jr., spokesperson for Courage for America. “It is already illegal for noncitizens to cast a ballot in federal elections, and there is absolutely no evidence of widespread noncitizen voting. Congress must stop neglecting their responsibility to defend our democracy from extremist threats and commit to upholding their constitutional duty to peacefully certify the results of the next election.”

###

“After the most recent decisions from the Supreme Court in Fischer v. U.S. and Trump v U.S., this Independence Day must serve as a call to action — to recommit to defending against the dangerous threats to our democracy.” 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Courage for America released the following statement celebrating July 4th, Independence Day, which commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. As Americans across the country celebrate this important holiday, Courage for America and its Councilmembers remain committed to upholding the principles of freedom this country was founded on, and protecting our democracy from political violence and extremism.

“Today is meant to commemorate a milestone in American history that would become a stepping stone for the freedoms and privileges that we all enjoy as citizens of this country. However, after the most recent decisions from the Supreme Court in Fischer v. U.S. and Trump v U.S., this Independence Day must serve as a call to action — to recommit to defending against the dangerous threats to our democracy,” said Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, Courage for America Councilmember. “Now more than ever, we must all rally towards ensuring that the sacrifices of servicemembers and veterans do not go in vain. As an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq, and a former U.S. Capitol Police Officer who defended the Capitol on January 6th, Independence Day is more than just another holiday. It is a reminder of what is at stake for the sanctity and security of our democracy. If we are to prevent a repeat of Jan. 6, we must acknowledge the threat MAGA extremism poses to our democracy and stop the trajectory of political violence that is facing the nation.”

“July 4th is both a time for celebration and reflection – our country was founded on the principles of freedom and opportunity and we must continue to fight to ensure those principles are not threatened,” said Peter Lucier, Courage for America Councilmember. “While today we celebrate our freedom, we must also acknowledge the work that still needs to be done to ensure our country is truly free and equitable for all Americans. I’m a proud American who served in the United States Marine Corps and I believe in the endless possibilities of this country. We must remain committed to ensuring a fully functioning democracy survives for future generations to enjoy, denounce the MAGA extremism running rampant in Congress, and uplift the values that holistically represent the Republic that many have died protecting.”

“As a U.S. Army veteran, Independence Day is a deeply personal holiday for me – as it is for many of our servicemembers and veterans. Today is a celebration of the freedoms our country has championed since its founding and the democracy we must strive to protect and maintain,” said Naveed Shah, Courage for America Councilmember. “We cannot allow patriotism to be seized by the extremist agenda of MAGA Republicans and the insurrectionists who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. At a time when growing MAGA extremism threatens our democracy, we must strive to continue the work of building an inclusive democracy that serves all Americans, with liberty and justice for all.”

###

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — El lunes, el Sargento Aquilino Gonell, un miembro del Consejo de Courage for America que fue gravemente herido defendiendo el Capitolio el seis de enero, habló con Javier Vega de Telemundo y Claudia Uceda de Univision para denunciar la decisión de la Corte Suprema sobre la inmunidad parcial del ex-presidente Donald Trump. El Sgto. Gonell pide a la Corte Suprema que cumpla con su obligación de defender nuestra Democracia contra el extremismo MAGA y la violencia política. Aquí están algunos de los momentos más importantes de las dos entrevistas:

Telemundo, Javier Vega con Última Hora

“Ya es una decisión que ellos tomaron aquí los magistrados en la Corte Suprema. Tomaron una corte que ya se sabía que el Presidente tiene cierto tipo de inmunidad para actos presidenciales. Que tiene de acto presidencial o autoridad pa’ un presidente tan involucrado en un golpe de estado? ¿Qué tipo de inmunidad le dan eso? Entonces, es una cachetada a los sacrificios que nosotros, los oficiales, hicimos el seis de enero—lo cual, hoy en día, quizás, si el ex-presidente llega a ser reelegido, o perder, puede volver hacer lo mismo que pasó el seis de enero.”

Para ver la entrevista completa, haz click AQUÍ.

Univision, Claudia Uceda con Última Hora

“Un retraso. ¿A qué estamos jugando? A qué estamos gastando el sacrificio que nosotros hicimos a cruzar la calle defendiendo esta democracia y la constitución cuando una persona que era presidente y candidato a la misma vez. Y que yo sepa como en la constitución no hay una inmunidad para tratar de destruir la democracia de este país. Y eso fue lo que el ex-presidente trató de hacer. Cuando convocó la turba a la capital y la mandó al Capitolio, donde se enfrentaron con nosotros, y más de 140 oficiales fuimos heridos. Entonces, ¿a qué estamos jugando?”

“Lo que él hizo el 6 de enero fue tratar de quedarse en el poder a la fuerza.”

Para ver la entrevista completa, haz click AQUÍ.

###

“It is a slap in the face to us officers who protected our democracy on January 6th and to the millions of Americans who believe no one is above the law.”

WASHINGTON, D.C — Today, Courage for America Councilmembers Officer Michael Fanone and Sergeant Aquilino Gonell, both severely injured while defending the Capitol on January 6th, condemned the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity giving Trump immunity for parts of his plot to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and remanding the Trump v. United States case back to the United States District Court to determine whether Trump’s other actions possess immunity, further delaying the criminal prosecution of Trump’s conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election.

“MAGA Republicans in Congress are rejoicing that the Court is doing what they have not been able to — give Trump extended political cover by further delaying the trial on his role in the efforts to overturn the 2020 election,” said Officer Fanone, Courage for America Councilmember. “This ruling is outrageous. It is a slap in the face to us officers who protected our democracy on January 6th and to the millions of Americans who believe no one is above the law. The Supreme Court and Congress have bent over backwards in their attempts to evade accountability for those who orchestrated and incited the insurrection on January 6th. However, no court case can change what happened to me that day, nor my commitment to making sure my daughters have a democracy that is free from political violence.” 

“Today, the Court decided to follow the lead of the most extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress by granting Donald Trump absolute immunity for his ‘official’ acts that led to the insurrection that threatened the lives of over 140 officers like me at the Capitol. This ruling is profoundly upsetting but unsurprising. It follows a pattern of behavior laid out by Speaker Mike Johnson and MAGA Republicans who have continuously rallied against America’s principles like the rule of law,” said Sergeant Gonell, Courage for America Councilmember. “I will continue holding Mike Johnson and this MAGA Congress accountable for their continuous threats to our democracy today and every day.”

###

“This ruling might make it harder to hold some of President Trump’s lap dogs accountable, but I remain committed to doing so—and to stopping the threat of another insurrection in the future.”

WASHINGTON, D.C — Today, Courage for America Councilmembers Officer Michael Fanone and Sergeant Aquilino Gonell, both severely injured while defending the Capitol on January 6th, denounced the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of Fischer v. United States. This ruling undermines the Department of Justice’s ability to hold January 6th insurrectionists fully accountable for attacking the U.S. Capitol and disrupting the peaceful certification of the 2020 election. This decision follows the lead of MAGA Republicans in the House who tried to overturn the 2020 election, minimized the events of January 6th, and continue threatening democracy and the rule of law.

“The MAGA forces in Congress are rejoicing at this Court’s misguided ruling. This decision sets a dangerous precedent for future political violence and invites another insurrection to take place. On January 6th, I suffered a traumatic brain injury and heart attack while defending the Capitol, and no amount of whitewashing from MAGA Republicans like Mike Johnson can erase that true history,” said Officer Fanone. “Despite this ruling, I remain committed to holding anyone threatening the sanctity of our elections accountable — and to stopping the threat of another insurrection in the future.”

“Today, the Court took Speaker Mike Johnson’s wish to use our federal government to minimize the insurrection and turned it into a dangerous reality. It is deeply disappointing to me that MAGA Republicans have gone to such horrible lengths to say they stand with law enforcement, but will not support the 140 of us who were injured on January 6th,” said Sergeant Gonell. “Despite how far the right leaning court and MAGA extremists will go to protect insurrectionists, we cannot back down from continuing our efforts to protect and secure our democracy and the sanctity of our Republic.”

###

WASHINGTON, D.C — On Thursday, June 20th, Courage for America Councilmember Sergeant Aquilino Gonell, who was seriously injured defending the Capitol on January 6th, spoke with Joy Reid on MSNBC’s The Reid Out ahead of the Supreme Courts’ decisions for the cases of Fischer v. United States and Trump v. United States. While discussing possible outcomes and implications for the Supreme Court decisions, Sergeant Gonell denounced Speaker Johnson and MAGA Republicans for embracing Trump at the Capitol last week. Below are highlights from the interview:

Joy Reid on MSNBC’s The Reid Out 

*Sergeant Gonell shows shards of glass he recovered from the Capitol to the camera* 

Sergeant Aquilino Gonell: 

“These are shards from the tunnel entrance of the Capitol where I defended that day. I think for you guys to see it, and maybe you could show it to Republican Speaker Mike Johnson. Because last week he was hosting the guy who sent the mob to tear down and knock down some of the doors of the Capitol where I almost died.”

###

Joy Reid: 

“There are 1,400 people who were charged originally. There are 151 who were convicted [on all charges]. 886 were sentenced… The number of people charged with this “obstruction of official proceeding” is 260. If the Supreme Court were to reduce their sentences and to give Donald Trump immunity from prosecution, what would that say to officers like you?”

Sergeant Gonell: 

“It will be a desecration of the sacrifices that we did on January 6th. And is something that had happened because Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, and his MAGA allies have continued to degrade the judicial system to the point of aligning themselves and trying to excuse and downplay what happened on January 6th.”

###

To view the full interview, click HERE.

“We must ensure that Black and brown people have an equitable opportunity to engage in our nation’s sacred democratic process..” 

WASHINGTON, D.C — Today, Courage for America released the following statement commemorating Juneteenth, the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is a monumental day in our nation’s history that is inherently tied to the history of democracy in the United States. As the country celebrates this important day, Courage for America remains committed to ensuring Black Americans nationwide reap the benefits of an inclusive democracy.

“Juneteenth is not only a time to celebrate the abolition of slavery in the United States but also a time for all of us to reaffirm and renew our commitment to addressing the systemic oppression African Americans across the country have experienced within our democracy,” said Reverend Dr. Cathy Clardy Patterson, Courage for America councilmember. “As extremist politicians continue to spread lies about our elections and disenfranchise the African American community, our country is at a crossroads. In the face of many anti-democratic efforts ranging from voter suppression to the inequities embedded in our justice system, we cannot afford to waver in our fight to address systemic racism and fortify our democracy. We must ensure that Black and brown people have an equitable opportunity to engage in our nation’s sacred democratic process. So, on this day, let us commit to securing our democracy, as it is imperative for true Black liberation.”

“On Juneteenth, we commemorate the end of slavery in our country and recognize its legacy on our democracy. It’s a day to celebrate and reflect on the strength of those who came before us and recommit towards fighting for Black Americans’ full inclusion into American democracy,” said José Morales Jr., spokesperson for Courage for America. “Congress has a responsibility to reject the extremist forces that use violence and voter suppression that dishonor the legacy of this holiday. Our Council continues to call on Congress to use its power for the continued empowerment of Black Americans in a vibrant democracy. While I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, there is still immeasurable work that must be done to continue to engrain equity, stop political violence, and protect our democracy.” 

###

WASHINGTON, D.C — Over the weekend, Courage for America Councilmember Sergeant Aquilino Gonell, who was seriously injured defending the Capitol on January 6th, spoke with Juan Carlos López of CNN Español and Jason Johnson of MSNBC to denounce MAGA House Republicans meeting with former President Donald Trump for the first time since Jan. 6th. Sgt. Gonell is calling on Congress to fulfill their duties to protect our democracy from MAGA extremism and political violence. Below are highlights from both interviews: 

CNN Español, Juan Carlos López for DirectoUSA 

“Many of those elected officials who today are receiving him with open arms, that day they were running because they feared the danger that the mob represented and they knew that the mob had been incited and ordered by the former president. And now, instead of refusing him, they are embracing and adoring him. It is something that for me is a betrayal to our country’s loyalty and the sacrifices that our officers made.” 

To view the full interview, click HERE. 

MSNBC, Jason Johnson for All In with Chris Hayes

“Unfortunately we can’t depend on the Republican elected officials any longer to defend the Constitution or the democracy because they only have fealty for one person, and that person is Donald Trump.” 

To view the full interview, click HERE. 

###

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Durante el fin de semana, el Sargento Aquilino Gonell, un miembro del Consejo de Courage for America que fue gravemente herido defendiendo el Capitolio el seis de enero, habló con Juan Carlos López de CNN Español y Jason Johnson de MSNBC para denunciar el primer regreso del expresidente Donald Trump al Capitolio desde el seis de enero. El Sgto. Gonell pide al Congreso que cumpla con su obligación de defender nuestra Democracia contra el extremismo MAGA y la violencia política. Aquí están algunos de los momentos más importantes de las dos entrevistas:

CNN Español, Juan Carlos López con DirectoUSA 

“Muchos de esos oficiales electos que hoy en día lo están recibiendo con manos para darle abrazos, ese día estaban corriendo porque temían el peligro que la turba representaba y sabían que la turba había sido incitada y mandada por el ex-presidente. Y ahora en día en vez de repugnarlo lo están abrazando y adorando. Es algo que para mí es una traición a la lealtad del país y los sacrificios que nosotros oficiales hicimos.”

Para ver la entrevista completa, haz click AQUÍ.

MSNBC, Jason Johnson con All In with Chris Hayes

“Desafortunadamente no podemos depender de los oficiales elegidos Republicanos para defender nuestra Constitución o a la democracia porque solo le tienen lealtad a una persona, y esa persona es Donald Trump.”

Para ver la entrevista completa, haz click AQUÍ.

###

“They’re going to, once again, challenge the results of the election and they need to have a reason.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, at 10:30am ET, the Republican-led House Administration Committee is holding a markup of their latest Big Lie Bill (H.R. 8281) that further fearmongers the false narrative of noncitizens voting in U.S. elections. It is an anti-democratic and xenophobic bill focused on an issue that is already illegal in federal elections. In a recent New York Times article, Rep. Joe Morelle, the Ranking Member of the House Administration Committee, pushed back against this false narrative from MAGA Republicans and called out their blatant attempt to sow doubt in this year’s election results. 

“‘They don’t ever bring any evidence of actual fraudulent efforts being made by non-U.S. citizens to vote in federal elections,’ said Representative Joseph D. Morelle of New York, the top Democrat on the Administration Committee. ‘So I think it’s pretty clear, pretty quickly, that this is all a pretext. They’re going to, once again, challenge the results of the election and they need to have a reason.’”

According to the article, “Nearly 40 percent of the adult voting population did not cast a ballot in the last presidential election, and Mr. Morelle argued that further roadblocks would only make it more difficult for Americans to participate. ‘It’s just another way of stopping people from voting,’ Mr. Morelle said of the G.O.P. legislation. ‘I mean, they just continue to suppress the ability of people to vote.’”

To view the full article, click HERE.

###

“We have been here before. We cannot ignore the potential for another January 6.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Joe Morelle (NY-25), the Ranking Member of the House Administration Committee, published an op-ed in The Hill, laying out how MAGA Republicans have begun to lay the foundation for another January 6th. This important warning comes as the committee held a hearing regarding MAGA Republicans’ bogus, unnecessary Big Lie Bill targeting non-citizens. It is a blatant attempt to advance an extreme anti-democratic agenda ahead of this year’s elections.

According to Rep. Morelle, “We are watching the same cast of characters performing from the same script. In 2020, MAGA extremists made false claims that the election was fraudulent and stolen, a carefully crafted narrative that many of our House Majority colleagues participated in. Speaker Mike Johnson even tried to disenfranchise millions of Americans by leading an amicus brief to overturn the free, fair and secure 2020 election.”

“Now, the former president and his allies in the House are doubling down on their efforts to undermine the sanctity of our elections, with the false claim that millions of noncitizens are voting in our federal elections.”

“Here’s the part they’re not saying out loud: Speaker Johnson and House Republicans are not actually concerned about noncitizens voting in federal elections. They admit they have no evidence to back up their claims. Their real ambition is to lay the groundwork for blame and obfuscation to do violence to the Constitution and deny the people their say in the outcome of this election.”

“We have been here before. We cannot ignore the potential for another January 6…When tomorrow’s historians write about Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2024 election — and they surely will — they will eviscerate the Speaker’s insidious bill and they will condemn the pitiful actions of House Republican apologists. The record will be clear, and the verdict of history will be harsh.“

To view the full op-ed, click HERE.

###

“The introduction of this bill reaffirms the fact that MAGA Republicans refuse to accept the truth about the 2020 election and will stop at nothing to further their anti-democratic agenda.” 

WASHINGTON, D.C — Today, Courage for America released the following statement in response to the House and Senate introduction of the so-called “Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act.” This legislation is a byproduct of the continuous spreading of misinformation surrounding the 2020 election and the legitimacy of the election results.

“Instead of uplifting legislation that focuses on the needs of working families, MAGA Republicans in Congress are pushing their anti-democratic agenda that does nothing to support our democracy or the American people. The introduction of this bill reaffirms the fact that MAGA Republicans refuse to accept the truth about the 2020 election and will stop at nothing to further their anti-democratic agenda,” said José Morales, spokesperson for Courage for America. “It’s already illegal for non-citizens to cast a ballot in federal elections and states have secure systems in place to prevent non-citizens from voting. Numerous studies confirm that these concerns are baseless, but MAGA Republicans are using xenophobia as a vehicle to push the Big Lie further. Congress has a responsibility to defend our democracy from extremists’ threats, and a duty to certify the results of free and fair elections. It’s time that they begin to do so instead of undermining democracy.”

###