(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
A former Capitol Police Sergeant slammed President-elect Donald Trump, Sunday — ahead of the fourth anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
In an op-ed for The New York Times, former Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell ripped Trump over his repeated pledge to pardon those who are currently behind bars for Jan. 6-related crimes.
“All of us who were there and anyone who watched on TV know that those who stormed the Capitol were not peaceful protesters,” Gonnell wrote. “Pardoning them would be an outrageous mistake, one that could mean about 800 convicted criminals will be back on the street. It could also put me in danger, as I’ve continued to testify in court and I’ve given victim statements in cases against dozens of the rioters who assaulted me and my fellow officers.”
Gonnell went on to call out Trump for having “escaped the Vietnam draft with a medical exemption for bone spurs” while citing his service in Iraq.
“Mr. Trump is returning to the presidency at 78, while I had to leave the career I’d worked for my whole life for at 42 as a result of injuries suffered while doing my job,” Gonnell wrote. “I sometimes wonder why I risked my life to defend our elected officials from a mob inspired by Mr. Trump, only to see him return to power stronger than ever. It’s hard to witness a rich white man get rewarded for treachery while I’m punished for fulfilling my duty. Maybe that’s why so many people don’t do the right thing — because it’s hard and it hurts.”
——
