On January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol Police officers risked their lives to protect our democracy. They faced a violent, mass attack on the Capitol driven by racist, white supremacist rhetoric and intentional misinformation aimed at overturning the legitimate results of an election. And not coincidentally, it was an election in which record numbers of Black voters made their voices heard.

 

The violent attack was designed to threaten and intimidate those involved in conducting and protecting the election certification process. It was not just an attack on people or property, but an attack on democracy itself. Maliciously targeting those charged with conducting and protecting the certification of our elections mocks the very ideals of our constitution.