Former D.C. Metropolitan Police officer Michael Fanone is currently on a nationwide tour, sharing his harrowing experience of being injured during the assault on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump on January 6, 2021. Standing in front of the Wisconsin Capitol building, Fanone is determined to tell his story and shed light on the events that unfolded that day. (Photo Credit: Erik Gunn | Wisconsin Examiner)
After the September 11 attacks in 2001, Michael Fanone embarked on his journey as a police officer.
The 9/11 attacks had a profound impact on Fanone’s career. Prior to that tragic event, he worked as a construction worker. However, witnessing the devastating consequences of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon changed his perspective. On that fateful day, his job site in D.C. closed early, and he vividly remembers the heightened security measures taken throughout the city, including a strong police presence around the Capitol. Reflecting on the potential consequences if the plane had targeted the Capitol, Fanone felt a deep calling to join the police force.
The events of Jan. 6 altered his life forever when the assault took place on the same building.
“I believe this moment carries immense significance,” Fanone expressed during an interview in Madison on Tuesday. “Rather than focusing on the outcome, my primary concern is to dedicate all my efforts towards raising awareness about the events that unfolded on January 6th.”
Fanone has departed from the D.C. Metropolitan Police force following the prolonged aftermath of the January 6 attack. Currently, he is embarking on a nationwide tour, organized by the group Courage for America. This organization was formed in the wake of the insurrection and aims to address political violence while also expressing opposition towards the current Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
During his visit to Wisconsin this week, he had the opportunity to meet with student journalists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and engage in discussions with local leaders.
According to him, the purpose is to educate individuals about the events of January 6. He hopes that by sharing his own experience of that day, people will grasp the gravity and violence of the situation. This, in turn, may encourage them to delve deeper into the factors that led to the incident and uncover the lies and manipulation employed by politicians to incite Americans to storm the Capitol.
During his visit to La Crosse, the focus was on addressing a topic of great interest to him – accountability. The 3rd Congressional District, currently represented by Derrick Van Orden, held a particular significance for him. He pointed out that Van Orden had been present at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, not as a police officer or a protector, but as a member of the mob. This fact made Van Orden’s presence in Congress a personal insult to him.
Fanone is especially angry because Van Orden, a former Navy SEAL, “served his country in the military in the capacity that he did,” he said. “That guy knew better.”
Fanone, who hails from Virginia, has emerged as a well-known figure in ongoing discussions surrounding the Capitol attack. He provided testimony before the House select committee that delved into the events of January 6th and has been vocal ever since.
During his testimony before the select committee, Fanone recounted the terrifying moments when he and his fellow officers found themselves trapped in a Capitol tunnel, vulnerable to a large crowd of rioters.
During his usual duty with the D.C. police, Fanone worked as a narcotics investigator. On January 6th, his fellow officers were already deployed to support the Capitol Police. Their responsibilities included safeguarding local businesses and controlling the streets that had been closed for the day in anticipation of the rally organized by Trump supporters.
By the time his mid-afternoon shift began, the Capitol’s outer perimeter had already been breached. Fanone, eager to get to work, promptly made his way to the Capitol. Upon arrival, he received a distress call originating from an access tunnel leading to the building. Without hesitation, he and a fellow officer immediately rushed to the area to address the situation.
A group of officers, mainly from the D.C. department, found themselves trapped in the tunnel when they were overwhelmed by rioters inside the Capitol. Injured cops sought refuge in nearby tunnels, and their fellow officers attempted to assist them. According to Fanone, they faced difficulties in obtaining medical help since the building was not yet secure.
“If the crowd of rioters outside the tunnel had managed to break through the line of defending cops, we would have been trampled to death,” he exclaimed.
During his testimony, Fanone recounted how certain individuals in the crowd were actively attempting to seize his firearm. He also mentioned hearing individuals shouting, “kill him with his own gun.” Based on these events, Fanone firmly believes that there were people within the crowd who had the intention of causing him serious harm.
The encounter shook him to his core, but what was even more astonishing was witnessing certain members of Congress, who had personally experienced the events of that day, downplay the severity of the violence and what it uncovered.
Officer Fanone expressed his deep disappointment at the lack of empathy and indifference shown by some people in the aftermath of the January 6th attack on the US Capitol. He compared the shocking event to the tragedy of 9/11 and highlighted the fact that it played out on live television for the whole nation to witness. Fanone found it particularly hard to accept that there were individuals who either chose to ignore the severity of the situation or even sympathized with the attackers. He described this as a betrayal, feeling let down by his own country.
U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, a Georgia Republican, was among those who made comments excusing the rioters, according to Fanone.
“He characterized the events of January 6 as just another ordinary day for tourists at the Capitol,” Fanone recounted. “But the truth is, he witnessed firsthand what truly unfolded that day, as he was present in the House chamber. There are even photographs showing him barricading the chamber doors in an attempt to keep intruders out, potentially risking his own safety. This behavior is completely unacceptable and truly shocking.”
Fanone believes that GOP lawmakers view the true events of January 6th as “politically inconvenient.” He is deeply disturbed that these lawmakers, who have served in the military and understand the sacrifices made by law enforcement and public servants, are more concerned with preserving their own positions than with the dangers posed by someone like Donald Trump to our democracy. Whether they have openly downplayed the attack on the Capitol or remained silent, Fanone sees their actions as equally cowardly.
Fanone expressed his anger at the continued disregard for the significance of that day. He shared that he initially felt compassion and empathy, but the attacks on his testimony have gradually eroded those feelings.
Jan. 6 taught us a crucial lesson about the responsibility each of us holds in preserving our democracy. It reminds us of the remarkable privilege we have in this country to elect our leaders. However, when we take this privilege for granted, it can quickly become an overwhelming challenge to rectify the situation and restore balance.
According to Fanone, it seems that for a significant number of individuals, the events of Jan. 6 haven’t had a personal impact on them. Additionally, he notes that many have reached the conclusion that, politically speaking, the desired outcomes are more important than upholding our democratic system.
“It’s concerning to me how deeply polarized our country has become, where one’s political stance or ideology dictates their reaction to a profoundly violent event,” he expressed his worry.
After recovering from his injuries for several months, Fanone reentered the police force in the autumn of 2021. However, he didn’t stay for long as he felt marginalized by the department brass and was assigned to less fulfilling roles. Consequently, he decided to quit a few months later. Since then, he has dedicated himself to raising awareness about the gravity of the events that unfolded on January 6th.
He has been enlightened in different ways by this change.
“I used to be a police officer, and my social circle mainly consisted of fellow officers,” he reflects. “But now, I’ve had the privilege of engaging in conversations with individuals I would never have crossed paths with before. Through these interactions, I’ve gained valuable insights into the diverse experiences people have had in this country. It’s impossible for me not to be profoundly impacted and transformed by these encounters.”
In addition to being cathartic, he emphasized that the work is absolutely necessary.
“I cannot simply stand by and do nothing,” expressed Fanone. “That’s not an option for me. Therefore, every interaction and conversation I engage in holds immense significance.”
