Why Capitol Police acted the way they did on Wednesday, according to a Capitol Police officer who was there

Ben* described what it was like facing off against rioters and explained why so few arrests were made

Pro-Trump protesters clash with Capitol Police during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S, January 6, 2021. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton) (REUTERS)

I have taken several private tours of the US Capitol, given to me by high-ranking Capitol Police officers. I have seen the armory, driven in their armored vehicles, found my way to the top of the building where the snipers sit, and toured the basement where 100-year-old tiles lie, gathering dust.

When the Capitol was attacked last week, a group of Capitol Police officers who have become my closest friends were on the scene. I reached out to hear their side of the story, since it seems that multiple fingers are being pointed their way, despite the fact that every member of Congress was escorted to safety, as well as Vice President Mike Pence, and all the hundreds of staffers were not harmed. 

Meanwhile, two officers have died — one immediately after facing the insurgents, for which a federal murder investigation is now open, and the other after taking his own life — and many members of the force are reportedly suffering from PTSD.

Ben*, a Capitol police officer I interviewed for this piece and who wished to remain anonymous because of his job, was en route to the Capitol when it was breached by rioters. He arrived though the underground tunnels, and found rioters and shellshocked officers inside the building. Many of the insurgents were attacking officers with “Blue Line” flags (flags that supposedly are in support of the police, often held aloft with chants of “Blue Lives Matter”.)

Ben was shocked to find that no one had taken immediate charge of the situation inside the building: “From what I saw on scene, the outnumbered officers were looking for guidance — once [extra] people were able to arrive and start rallying them, they were anxious to get in the fight,” he said.

When Ben encountered the angry mob, he was pepper-sprayed, bear-sprayed, exposed to CS gas, and had fire extinguishers deployed at him. There were flash-bang grenades. People with ceramic vests, full military equipment, body armor, helmets, and gas masks poured in.

“We got organized — and… it turned into a full-out brawl. Then there were reports of shots fired on the House floor. We raced there and with my gun out, the rioters started running in the other direction. I patted them down, looking for the person with the gun; meantime I found a lot of other weapons that I confiscated.”

Ben continued, “I was pissed off about these scumbags that thought it was a game to take over the Capitol. Some came in holding beers. They thought it was a joke, they were more than happy to take part in some ‘fun’, others were dressed like armed insurgents. These rioters did not think they were committing a felony — they thought it was some kind of free-for-all. Their actions were so damaging to America. Think about it — an attack by Americans on America? It makes us look like a banana republic. Also, to those people who think that courageous women and men of the badge who are sworn in and committed to protect the Capitol were in on such an attack, there is no way in hell that is true.”

Ben also told me the reason why so few people were arrested by the police at the scene: “It is because there were not enough of us there and the six people who were arrested that I saw, we didn’t know where to take them. Some were just marched around. Officers’ batons were swiped, radios, whatever could be grabbed at, ripped away by these insurgents. We were outnumbered and were very spread out over the huge area we have to cover. Meanwhile, there were many, many thousands of pro-Trump supporters… who’d marched down Pennsylvania Avenue.”

He addressed the allegations that have been made specifically about African American officers: “I have heard people say even some Black officers let these predominantly white terrorists in — that is infuriating to me, not to mention nonsensical. These fine officers were attacked and outnumbered. That is why the protesters got past the police.”

“I wish someone could explain how we're supposed to stop that many rioters without resorting to deadly force,” Ben continued. “By the way, we have never used [deadly force] in any protest — which, clearly, this was not.”

At one point, Ben said he found himself without a mask being attacked by the mob: “Members of Congress have received their vaccinations. No member of the Capitol Police have, and we have not even heard when we will receive ours. Plenty of us were fighting an angry mob who don’t believe in Covid-19 and we were mask-less. We look after Congress, but they don’t look after us. The hypocrisy is painful.” 

Ben claimed that officers don’t get the basic protection they need, and that now many are forced to avoid their own families. 

“I have been sleeping in the guest room as a precaution,” he said. “Another officer has a wife with a condition that he needs to help her with. Now he can’t go near her and is living in the basement. Plenty of the officers are also afraid they might have contracted Covid-19 fighting with the mob.”

The officers took back the Capitol without anyone from the legislative branch being hurt. They preserved historic and priceless pieces of art. Congress was able to get back to work hours later and ratify the presidential election due to their actions.

“The officers did their best and should stand with pride and hold their heads up high,” Ben said. “This attack caused great damage to our country and that Trump had to be forced to lower the flag to half-mast over our fallen officer is a national disgrace. Our officers acted with honor, integrity, bravery — the most I have ever seen. The story that they were complicit in the attack on the Capitol is the most insulting one I have ever heard.”