Former Jan 6 Capitol officer Harry Dunn launches second bid for Congress in Maryland
WASHINGTON, DC: Harry Dunn, a former US Capitol Police officer who defended the Capitol during the Jan 6, 2021, attack, announced on Wednesday, February 4, that he is running for Congress again in Maryland.
A Democrat, Dunn is seeking the nomination to replace retiring Rep Steny Hoyer in the state’s 5th Congressional District, in the state's 5th Congressional District safely blue seat that is expected to draw a crowded primary field.
Dunn said that he sees the race as a chance to push back against what he called “this administration’s unrelenting assault on the rule of law, democracy, and, shoot, decency.” “I’ve been a fighter my whole life, but the world knew me as a fighter on Jan 6,” Dunn said.
January 6 was the worst day of my life. But the threat of Donald Trump didn’t end when the mob left the Capitol.
— Harry Dunn (@libradunn) February 4, 2026
That’s why I’m running for Congress: to defend this country, with the full constitutional authority of Congress.
I’m Harry Dunn. And I’m ready to finish the job. pic.twitter.com/8JbQwjklFT
Dunn pitches himself as a ‘fighter’ for democracy
Dunn, who rose to national prominence after publicly recounting his experience during the Capitol riot, said his candidacy is rooted in standing up to Donald Trump and his allies, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 election and the events of Jan 6.
“I don’t know how this is going to end,” Dunn said, referring to Republicans’ evolving response to the Capitol attack from initially condemning the violence to later embracing Trump’s pardons of rioters and renewed investigations into the election. “If we do not stand up, if we do not show up … they will win,” he said.
Dunn to face crowded primary in safe Democratic seat
The contest to succeed Hoyer, the longtime No 2 Democrat in the House, is expected to be highly competitive. Hoyer has already endorsed state Del Adrian Boafo, a former aide, adding establishment weight to the race.
Dunn previously ran for Congress in 2024 in a neighboring district, finishing second in the Democratic primary to now-Rep Sarah Elfreth. He said he grew up in the 5th District and plans to move back as part of his campaign.
During that race, a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee spent more than $4 million backing his opponent, even though Israel policy was not a central issue.
Calls to abolish ICE and criticism of Democrats’ demands
Dunn leveled some of his sharpest criticism at the Trump administration’s immigration policies, calling for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be abolished altogether.
“I don’t think there is a logical way to train your way out of this,” Dunn said, accusing ICE of showing “absolute disregard for human life.”
He cited the recent killings of two people in Minnesota and viral videos showing aggressive encounters between immigration agents and the public.
“Every single law enforcement officer should be disgusted by that and should be speaking out,” he added.
As Democrats in Congress debate what restrictions to seek on ICE and the Department of Homeland Security amid a funding fight, Dunn dismissed their proposals as far too limited.
