Celebrated Capitol Officer Eugene Goodman Escorted Kamala Harris to the Inauguration

From Harper's BAZAAR

Today, Eugene Goodman, the Capitol Police officer who led rioters away from the Senate chamber when they stormed the building earlier this month, escorted Vice President Kamala Harris to the inauguration venue.

Just weeks ago, Goodman was celebrated after he was seen confronting insurrectionists who breached the Capitol to interrupt the certification of the presidential election results that would solidify President Donald Trump's defeat. A viral video showed Officer Goodman keeping a group of angry rioters away from the Senate chamber where lawmakers were hiding with armed security. Seen leading the mob away from the doors of the safe room, he possibly saved lives and prevented what could have been a much more violent clash between the protesters and law enforcement, according to The Washington Post.

Goodman has humbly avoided press, but the Post reports that the 40-year-old officer, now based in Maryland, grew up in Southeast Washington and served in the Army for four years, being deployed in Iraq for one.

The video of Goodman, shared by HuffPost reporter Igor Bobic, made its rounds online, going viral, and resulted in an outpouring of thanks and praise on social media. According to NPR, legislation was introduced to Congress to bestow Goodman with the Congressional Gold Medal. And he got a promotion for the presidential swearing-in: He was named the acting Deputy House Sergeant at Arms for the House for Inauguration Day.

He was seen alongside Harris as she arrived at the Capitol to take her oath, and leading her to the presidential platform before the swearing-in ceremony began.

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