WASHINGTON D.C. – As the world continues to process the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, former U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell reflects on his experience on the frontlines. Gonell, who left the USCP in December 2022 after serving more than 16 years, vividly recalls the harrowing events that unfolded on that fateful day.
During an interview, Sergeant Gonell recounted the fear he experienced as he faced off against more than 40 attackers, some of whom wielded the American flag as a weapon. As an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, the symbol of the American flag holds deep personal significance for him. Having also served in the Army and in the Iraq War before becoming a police officer, the events of January 6, 2021, left Gonell with injuries that ultimately led to his departure from the police force.
Despite testifying before the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol attack and pursuing legal action against his assailants, Gonell continues to grapple with the lasting emotional and physical impact of the events. He expressed frustration over the portrayal of the attack as a political issue rather than as an assault on democracy.
Sergeant Gonell’s story serves as a reminder of the deep divisions surrounding the January 6 attack, with conflicting views on its severity and implications. While some politicians have downplayed the events, others, including President Joe Biden, have condemned it as an assault on democracy. Former President Donald Trump faces federal charges in connection with the attack, and with the 2024 presidential election looming, fears of a potential repeat of the violence remain.
As Sergeant Gonell continues to heal from the trauma of his experience, his reflections on the attack and its aftermath offer an intimate and sobering glimpse into the ongoing impact of that tumultuous day in American history. Despite the political and legal debates that surround the Capitol attack, for Gonell and others directly affected, the reality remains visceral and ongoing.