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Former District of Columbia police officer Michael Fanone, who was brutally assaulted during the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, voiced his deep disappointment and anger after President Donald Trump issued pardons to hundreds of individuals involved in the insurrection.
Speaking on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360° on Monday night, Fanone described Trump’s actions as a betrayal of law enforcement and the country.
“I feel betrayed by my country, and I’ve been betrayed by those who supported Donald Trump,” Fanone stated. “Whether you voted for him because he promised these pardons or for some other reason, you knew this was coming.
And here we are. Tonight, six individuals who assaulted me while I was doing my job on Jan. 6, alongside hundreds of other law enforcement officers, will now walk free.”
Fanone was among the officers who defended the Capitol during the violent riot, suffering injuries that required hospitalization. His testimony before the now-disbanded House Jan. 6 Committee detailed the brutal violence he and other officers endured while defending lawmakers.
The pardons, issued as one of Trump’s first executive actions after returning to the presidency, cleared the records of individuals charged or convicted for their roles in the riot.
Fanone did not hold back in criticizing the Republican Party, accusing it of hypocrisy regarding its professed support for law enforcement. “The Republican Party owns a monopoly on hypocrisy when it comes to supporting law enforcement,” he said.
“Tonight, the leader of their party pardoned hundreds of violent cop assaulters. That tells you everything you need to know about their so-called ‘support’ for the men and women who serve to protect this country.”
Earlier in the day, Fanone himself was among several individuals to receive preemptive pardons from former President Joe Biden. Biden’s clemency extended to individuals who faced threats or harassment due to their participation in congressional investigations into the Capitol attack. Fanone expressed gratitude for the pardon but criticized the necessity of such an action.
“It’s a sad commentary on where we are as a nation that a sitting president thought it necessary to issue a preemptive pardon to a witness in a congressional investigation,” Fanone said. “The subject of that investigation is now the president, who has openly promised to pursue politically motivated revenge.”
Fanone also expressed concern for the safety of his family, noting that they have faced ongoing threats since he testified before the House Jan. 6 Committee.
“This isn’t just about me,” he said. “My family has been targeted with harassment and threats of violence because I stood up for the truth. It’s a reflection of how far we’ve fallen as a nation.”
The Capitol attack, which sought to overturn the certification of the 2020 presidential election results, remains one of the most divisive events in modern U.S. history. Trump has consistently referred to the rioters as “political prisoners” and has pledged to pardon those he claims were unfairly prosecuted.
Monday’s mass pardons included high-profile figures such as members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, some of whom had been convicted of seditious conspiracy.
Fanone’s remarks come amid growing criticism of Trump’s decision to pardon individuals who participated in the violent attack. Law enforcement officials, lawmakers, and public figures have voiced concerns about the message the pardons send regarding accountability and justice.
The pardons effectively nullify convictions for crimes such as assaulting police officers, disrupting congressional proceedings, and trespassing in restricted government buildings.
“Tonight, we’re seeing the consequences of prioritizing loyalty to a single individual over the rule of law,” Fanone said. “What kind of message does this send to the men and women who risk their lives to protect this country every day? It’s appalling.”
The former officer also criticized Trump’s broader actions since returning to office, describing them as emblematic of a leader prioritizing personal grievances over national unity.
Fanone’s comments highlight the continued fallout from the events of Jan. 6 and the enduring tensions surrounding Trump’s role in the insurrection and its aftermath.
Fanone’s testimony before the Jan. 6 Committee provided a vivid account of the violence and chaos that unfolded that day. He described being dragged into the crowd, beaten, and repeatedly tased while rioters shouted threats to kill him. His account became a powerful symbol of the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers defending democracy during the insurrection.
In his interview, Fanone reiterated his commitment to holding those responsible for the attack accountable, including Trump.
“I testified because I believed it was my duty to tell the truth about what happened that day,” he said. “I won’t let these pardons erase the reality of what we endured or the sacrifices made by my colleagues.”
As the nation grapples with the implications of Trump’s mass pardons, the debate over justice and accountability for Jan. 6 continues to shape the political landscape.
Fanone’s voice remains a stark reminder of the personal and institutional costs of the Capitol attack.
