“Donald Trump Is a Risk to Democracy”: Former U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Slams Trump for Putting “Lives at Risk” on Jan 6th

Michelle MeyerNov 8, 2023

Minute Read

Former U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell has said that Donald Trump needs to be held accountable for his Jan 6th actions.

Trump and Jan 6th

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Gonell shared his thoughts on “The Dean Obeidallah Show.” Obeidallah asked him what justice would mean to him in regard to Trump and Jan 6th. In response, Gonell highlighted how Trump’s actions, and inactions, contributed highly to the insurrection.

Stopping the Attack

“He could as easily say, ‘You know what? This is not what I had in mind. I’m sorry. Y’all need to clear out the Capitol. You need to go home,’” Gonell said, pointing out that the former president could have stopped the attack if he’d wanted to.

Trump in Jail

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Gonell continued: “To go back to your question, what is closure for me? I don’t know. It could be that he [gets barred] from political office and never [sets] foot in the White House. It could be he [goes] to jail. It could be that he [loses] everything he had because he put everybody [else’s] lives at risk.”

Not a Witch Hunt

Gonell went on to tell Obeidallah that he had faith in the legal process. “If he’s found not guilty, then so be it. But at least don’t declare that everything is a witch hunt because not everything it is,” he said.

Healing Physically and Mentally

Gonell resigned following Jan 6th “to focus on healing.” At the time, he said: “It is with immense sadness that I announce my formal separation from the department effective December 17, 2022, to continue to focus on healing, both physically and mentally, from injuries I sustained in the line of duty on January 6, 2021.”

Dealing With Trauma

He continued: “After speaking with my orthopedic doctor, my mental health providers, and my family, I think it’s in my best interest to take time off away from the daily reminders that keep re-triggering my trauma.”

Holding Trump Accountable

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It’s clear that the insurrection had a profound effect on Gonell, so much so that he gave up his job. Given that, it’s understandable that he’d want to see the man who seemingly caused the whole situation be held accountable.

Jan 6th Has Not Ended

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Back when he resigned, Gonell added: “For most people, Jan 6th happened for a few hours that day. But for those of us who were in the thick of it, it has not ended. That day continues to be a constant trauma for us literally every day, whether because of our physical or emotional injuries – or both.”

The Internet’s Response

News of Gonell’s appearance on “The Dean Obeidallah Show” was shared across the internet and people rushed to comment sections to give their views on the matter. One person said: “Someone should be accountable because of the lives that were lost that day. Second-degree murder, accessory to murder, manslaughter, or accessory to manslaughter.”

Only Trump Matters to Trump

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Others felt certain that Trump would be held accountable: “They will get closure. Trump will be found guilty on multiple counts and he doesn’t care if he put others’ lives at risk. His is the only life that matters to him.”

The New GOP

Another commenter wrote: “These traitors to America wanted to take away my vote, burn down the Capitol, and hang the VP all to keep a psycho hairspray addict in power. That’s Trump and the new GOP.”

Trump in a Supermax

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Plenty of people called for Trump’s incarceration and some even said his fans would struggle to comprehend it: “He needs to go away for good in a supermax for all the crimes he’s committed. MAGA followers would lose their minds.”

A Successor to Trump

Others expressed concerns about a successor to Trump: “Glad to see him go down. My biggest worry is the one who follows. He will be smarter but he’ll play the same game. Divide and conquer. Not unite and lead.”

Listen to Him

Another individual said: “He was on the front lines during the insurgency attempt. This man was there and saw what was happening. He thinks Trump should be jailed. He thinks Trump should lose everything. He doesn’t want this man ever near the White House again. Listen to him.”

A Risk to Democracy

Others left terrifying warnings about the future: “Donald Trump is a risk to democracy and to the lives of all Americans. He needs to be in prison. If he makes it back to the White House, there will never be another election. At least not for a very long time.”

Trump’s 1930s Germany Playbook

One person compared the former president’s behavior to that of Adolf Hitler. They wrote: “How anyone can be so blind to Trump’s 1930s Germany playbook is beyond comprehension. Easily duped.”

Calling off the Mob

A few commenters tried to defend Trump. “I must have missed that part. I thought Trump was sitting in a hotel room during the riots,” one person said. “In his White House dining room, watching on TV and refusing even his family’s requests to call off his mob,” another hit back.

History Will Hold Trump Accountable

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“I don’t know if Trump will go to prison but I do think he’ll be found guilty in his criminal trials. I also believe that history will hold him accountable for Jan 6th, so that’s a win I guess,” another individual wrote.