Harry Dunn, a former U.S. Capitol Police Officer who gained national prominence for his outspoken stance following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, has announced his intention to run for Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District. Dunn, who was on duty during the attack and later testified before the House January 6 select committee, confirmed his candidacy to CNN.
Dunn is among a small group of officers who have publicly shared their experiences of the violence they encountered on January 6, and the profound, lasting impact it has had on them. “I witnessed democracy under attack firsthand on January 6,” Dunn told CNN. “It’s no exaggeration to say we are one election away from the extinction of our democracy as we know it.”
Despite the trauma, Dunn continued his service as a Capitol Police officer for several weeks after the attack. A 15-year veteran of the force, Dunn stepped down recently, citing the potential reelection of former President Donald Trump as a motivating factor for his congressional run.
“I believe that as a Capitol Police Officer, I’ve exhausted everything that I could do in that role to fight for accountability, justice, and the preservation of our democracy,” Dunn said. “As a congressman, I would have a seat at the table to hold him accountable.”
Dunn, alongside DC Metropolitan Police Officers Michael Fanone and Daniel Hodges, and Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, testified before the January 6 committee in July 2021. He described the violent scenes he witnessed, including rioters using weapons against officers and hurling racial slurs.
For his bravery and service, Dunn was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in December 2022 and received the Presidential Citizens Medal on January 6, 2023, two years after the attack.
Dunn’s announcement to run for Congress comes after Rep. John Sarbanes, a Democrat, announced last October that he would not seek reelection. Dunn joins a crowded field of Democratic hopefuls vying for Sarbanes’ seat. The Democratic primary is scheduled for May 14.
If Dunn wins the seat, he would be the second member of Congress who has served as a Capitol Hill Police officer. “The late Harry Reid was a Capitol Police Officer,” said Dunn. “So, I guess I don’t mind being second to him.”