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A Capitol Officer Recounts Jan. 6: An Update

This week, The Daily is revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year and checking in on what has happened in the time since they first ran. When Officer Harry Dunn reported for work at the Capitol on the morning of Jan. 6, he expected a day of relatively normal protests. At noon, the mood shifted. He received calls over his radio that the demonstrations were becoming violent. When he took up position on the west side of the Capitol, he said he realized just how dangerous the situation had become. Inside the building, after the walls were breached, Officer Dunn found a chaotic scene — one in which officers were overwhelmed and the waves of rioters seemed endless. He also encountered racism from the pro-Trump mob, as did many of his Black co-workers. We hear from Officer Dunn about what happened that day from his perspective. Guest: Officer Harry Dunn, a Capitol Police officer who was on duty during the storming of the Capitol.
Duration
35m
Broadcast on
28 Dec 2021
Audio Format
other

This week, The Daily is revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year and checking in on what has happened in the time since they first ran.

When Officer Harry Dunn reported for work at the Capitol on the morning of Jan. 6, he expected a day of relatively normal protests.

At noon, the mood shifted. He received calls over his radio that the demonstrations were becoming violent. When he took up position on the west side of the Capitol, he said he realized just how dangerous the situation had become.

Inside the building, after the walls were breached, Officer Dunn found a chaotic scene — one in which officers were overwhelmed and the waves of rioters seemed endless. He also encountered racism from the pro-Trump mob, as did many of his Black co-workers.

We hear from Officer Dunn about what happened that day from his perspective.

Guest: Officer Harry Dunn, a Capitol Police officer who was on duty during the storming of the Capitol.

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Background reading:

  • “Black officers fought a different battle” on Jan. 6, Officer Harry Dunn said. Here is what he saw and heard when rioters, including white supremacists, stormed the Capitol.

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For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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This podcast is supported by TikTok. Sometimes the most interesting discoveries are the ones you weren't looking for. That happens every day on TikTok. A science experiment can spark a whole new interest. A recipe you stumble upon can become a meal you make for the people you love. And a restaurant you've never heard of might become your new favorite spot. That's the thing about TikTok. Follow your curiosity and see where it leads. Your next discovery is waiting on TikTok. Hey, it's Michael. This week, the daily is revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year and hearing what's happened in the time since they first ran. You call me Harry? Harry. Hi, there. Officer, Officer Dunne, good evening. How are you? Good, how are you? Good. We just got instructed to call Officer Dunne Harry. So, not going to happen. [LAUGHTER] Well, I'll call you Mike, so. You can call me Mike, but I refuse to call a member of the United States Capitol Police. Anything other than Officer. [LAUGHTER] Fair enough, if you insist. [LAUGHTER] Today, we return to the experience of a Capitol Hill police officer on January 6th as he witnessed the most shocking events of the year and learn how his life has changed as a result. It's Tuesday, December 28th. [MUSIC PLAYING] OK, now that you are ready to tell your story publicly, tell us about yourself. Who are you? I am a-- I'm a father to a beautiful nine-year-old girl. I am a black man who happens to be a police officer. I am a caring person who wants to see everybody in life live to their fullest potential and treat each other with kindness. That's who I am and in that chill. Officer Harry Dunne grew up in the suburbs of Washington, DC. Maryland, to be exact, Prince Georges County, Maryland. As I was looking for different careers to choose,

Transcription truncated.

This week, The Daily is revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year and checking in on what has happened in the time since they first ran. When Officer Harry Dunn reported for work at the Capitol on the morning of Jan. 6, he expected a day of relatively normal protests. At noon, the mood shifted. He received calls over his radio that the demonstrations were becoming violent. When he took up position on the west side of the Capitol, he said he realized just how dangerous the situation had become. Inside the building, after the walls were breached, Officer Dunn found a chaotic scene — one in which officers were overwhelmed and the waves of rioters seemed endless. He also encountered racism from the pro-Trump mob, as did many of his Black co-workers. We hear from Officer Dunn about what happened that day from his perspective. Guest: Officer Harry Dunn, a Capitol Police officer who was on duty during the storming of the Capitol.