Pennsylvania Republicans under fire for booing officers who defended Capitol on Jan 6
PENNSYLVANIA: Several Republican lawmakers in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives booed and walked out during a session on Wednesday, June 5, as two law enforcement officers, who defended the US Capitol during the January 6, 2021, attack, were introduced.
The incident unfolded as former US Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and former Sergeant Aquilino Gonell were welcomed to the chamber.
Pennsylvania House Speaker calls officers 'heroes' amid GOP boos and walkout
Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D) introduced the officers, calling them “heroes,” a sentiment that was met with boos and a walkout from several GOP members, according to multiple lawmakers' posts on social media.
“Today we welcomed two American heroes, Officer Harry Dunn @libradunn and Sergeant Aquilino Gonell to the Pennsylvania Capitol. A number of House Republicans literally booed, hissed, and walked off the floor — there is no bottom,” state Rep Malcolm Kenyatta (D) wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Responding to the reception, Gonell expressed on X, “Great meeting you” and “acknowledging what we went through.” “The @PAHouseGOP like many elected officials I helped protect and defend at the US Capitol, have abandoned the truth/sided with those who attacked us, the police, while at the same time saying they support the police and the rule of law. I’m not buying your bridges,” he wrote.
State Rep Emily Kinkead (D) voiced her astonishment at the behavior of some of her Republican colleagues, stating she was “dumbfounded” that some Republicans “disrespected these brave men by exiting the chamber during their recognition.” Meanwhile, state Rep Arvind Venkat (D) reported that between eight and ten Republicans "walked out on these heroes.”
Republican Leader Bryan Cutler, however, defended his party’s actions, emphasizing that he spoke to the officers and took photos with them. In a statement to The Hill, he accused House Democrats of exploiting the situation for political gain, citing a fundraising email from the Democrats that referenced the walkout incident.
“Unfortunately, they have, through House processes, demonstrated a pattern of antagonizing members and inviting division and discord for their political and campaign purposes. This is something that is continuing to frustrate our members and is damaging the credibility [of] all the actions of the Democrat majority,” Cutler stated.
Dunn and Gonell, who have become vocal advocates in the political arena, are currently campaigning for President Joe Biden in swing states, including Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New Hampshire.
Public outrage over GOP lawmakers’ actions
A social media user commented on Facebook, "The names of those dishonoring these men need to be made public. They should be publicly humiliated and shamed for their deplorable behavior."
Another added, "This behavior goes Beyond my capabilities to understand American culture and politics."
A third stated, "What a sad state we find ourselves in! Deplorable that the law makers couldn’t be respectful of officers that put their lives on the line to save our Congress men and wine that day!"
"That's the bottom of the bottom. Shame on them," remarked a user.
"The party of double standards. They're quick to give these long speeches about patriotism, morals, and decency; yet their actions will soon say otherwise," read a tweet.
"Words fail me. What must these men have felt, getting treated like that? All for their own careers and political benefit, at least that is what they must be hoping for," claimed a user.
"That behavior is completely unacceptable, not American and certainly not that of a patriot," asserted another.
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