Who is Sgt Harry Dunn? Capitol cops 'uneasy' colleague made Jan 6 riots 'all about race'
The United States Capitol Police (USCP) are united in their condemnation of the January 6 insurrection, but it appears not in the way the story is being told. According to a new report, several officers have become highly uncomfortable with Sgt Harry Dunn's role as the unofficial "spokesperson" for the service about the incident. Since speaking anonymously with Buzzfeed, Dunn has gone on the record with multiple media organizations and even testified before the January 6 Select Committee.
Dunn was amongst the four officers who testified to the House Committee, kickstarting the massive investigation into the coup attempt. Since then, he's gone on to speak to the press on numerous occasions recounting the brutal attack on the Capitol that led to four officers dying by suicide. While most of the statements Dunn has made have been corroborated by others, it appears one particular claim he's made is not sitting well with his colleagues.
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Several colleagues are reportedly unhappy that Dunn has made the insurrection "all about race" after he repeatedly claimed he was called the n-word by the rioters. Like others, it also appears Dunn is suffering long-term effects of the insurrection, which have also become a cause for concern.
Who is Sgt Harry Dunn?
According to Dunn's LinkedIn profile, he's been with the USCP since November 2008. In 2006, he graduated from James Madison University. Little else is known about Dunn, who rose to fame only after the insurrection. In May, he urged Congress to investigate the attack modeled on the 9/11 Commission. After Senate Republicans blocked that effort, he pushed for a select committee, which was eventually the path Democrats took.
In September 2021, Dunn threw his hat in the ring to challenge Gus Papathanasiou for the role of chairman of the Capitol police union but ultimately lost the election. When he went in front of the House Select Committee, Dunn testified he was repeatedly called the n-word by protestors, saying, "No one had ever called me a n-word while wearing the uniform of a Capitol Police officer." It's a story he has repeatedly told the media as well.
However, it appears that the story has made his colleagues unhappy. The New York Times reported on January 4, 2022, that his colleagues say "he is too focused on racial issues," and making the incident "all about race." He has however hit back, claiming that they are only focusing on "one portion" and ignoring others. On the other hand, there are also concerns for his well-being. Known for "speaking his mind" and being an extrovert, in recent days Dunn has reportedly "started isolating himself from his colleagues" and reportedly eats lunch alone in his car.
The conflicting accounts show just how divided and chaotic things are with the USCP right now, nearly a year after the brutal attack. Nonetheless, many are still hopeful for justice, which is proving increasingly hard to get. Not only are Republicans still attempting to actively block the investigation, but many like Steve Bannon have chosen to ignore subpoenas altogether. Even worse, the USCP is still lagging behind on implementing the 104 recommendations offered by the department’s inspector general after a year-long investigation.
For now, Dunn is still with the force, but many have left, making things harder for him and others who responded to the violence. "no hope" one believes, and they may be right if Republicans have their way.
