Fanone calls for Republicans in Congress to denounce political violence
Ahead of the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, former Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone urged Republicans to denounce political violence.
Video Transcript
- --particularly in light of the absolute chaos that's unfolding in the race for Speaker. But if I could guarantee one thing about the new House Majority, it's this-- this is just the beginning. This type of chaos will happen every single day in the House, as some of the most extreme politicians our country has ever seen hold our democracy hostage.
I should know. Tomorrow marks two years since the day I almost died defending the capital from people who thought overthrowing the government was a good idea. The events of that day felt like a wake up call for me and many others that political violence is real. The worst part is that our elected leaders allowed this to happen.
And yet this week, people who encouraged and even attended the insurrection are now taking their places as leaders in the new House Majority-- people like representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who said insurrectionists would have won on January 6 if she had been involved; or representative Matt Gaetz, who encouraged voters to arm themselves at the polls; or newly sworn in, or soon to be sworn in, Representative Derrick Van Orden, who breached police barricades with the insurrectionist mob on January 6.
Yesterday I delivered a letter to Marjorie Taylor Greene signed by over 1,000 veterans, active duty service members, and military family members demanding that they condemn political violence in all its forms. We cannot afford to brush political violence under the rug or turn a blind eye when others encourage it. I've spent a lot of time over the last two years about thinking what it means to be courageous and how I can best demonstrate courage in this moment.
For me, being courageous means speaking out so my four daughters can live in a country without fear of political violence from the MAGA movement that is putting their futures at risk. That's why today I'm proud to announce that I'm joining the Council of Courage for America, a new campaign pushing back against the Republican House's extreme MAGA agenda that puts political power over the rights and freedoms of Americans. I refuse to stay silent on a matter that affects us all. I thank you all for speaking out with me.
So the new Speaker of the House-- whoever the hell that ends up being-- and other GOP House leaders, here's my message to you. You have this job because you promise to represent the people. We, the people, are calling on you to condemn political violence. As you take on your new roles, I will be watching and waiting for public statements from each and every one of you to do just that. Enough is enough Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]
