Private First Class Harry Dunn of the US Capitol Police wipes tears away as a video showing scenes of the January 6th attack is played before the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack on US Capitol on July 27, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.
Private First Class Harry Dunn of the US Capitol Police wipes tears away as a video showing scenes of the January 6th attack is played before the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack on US Capitol on July 27, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.
Jim Lo Scalzo-Pool/Getty Images
  • Officer Harry Dunn says he and other officers were called the N word during Jan. 6 Capitol riot
  • The racial epithets came after Dunn told the rioters he'd voted for President Biden
  • Dunn is one of 4 officers testifying in the opening session of the January 6 select committee
  • See more stories on Insider's business page.

In his opening statement at the opening session of the January 6th select committee, US Capitol Police Officer Harry A. Dunn, said he was met with a "torrent of racial epithets" while defending the Speaker's Lobby during the January 6th Capitol riot.

The racist abuse– the first time he said he'd ever been called the N word while in uniform– came after Dunn told the rioter's he'd voted for President Biden.

"Well, I voted for Joe Biden. Does my vote not count? Am I nobody?" Officer Dunn told the crowd of rioters after one claimed that "nobody voted for Joe Biden."

"You hear that, guys, this n—– voted for Joe Biden!" said a woman in a pink "MAGA" shirt. "Boo! Fucking n—–!" the crowd chanted.

Dunn said that another officer told him he had never been called that word in his life before January 6th, and that another officer was told "put your gun down and we'll show you what kind of n----- you really are!"

Dunn described his disbelief over what happened on the day of the riot, yelling during his testimony, "How the blank can something like this happen?! Is this America?"

Dunn is one of 4 officers testifying at the opening session of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. The others were Capitol Police Officer Sgt. Aquilino Gonnell, and Metropolitan Police Officers Daniel Hodges and Michael Fanone.

Dunn began his testimony by calling for a moment of silence for Officer Brian Sicknick, who died following clashes with rioters.

The officer quoted from a floor speech given by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy that same day.

"'The violence, destruction, and chaos we saw earlier was unacceptable, undemocratic,and un-American. It was the saddest day I've ever had serving in this institution.' Members of this Select Committee, the Minority Leader was absolutely right that day in how he described what took place at the Capitol. And for those of us in the Capitol Police who serve and revere this institution, and who love the Capitol building, it was the saddest day for us as well."

McCarthy now opposes the select committee investigating the riot.

Dunn also said that he's been going to counseling sessions and therapy following the riot.

"I want to take this moment and speak to my fellow officers about the emotions they are continuing to experience from the events of January 6," he said. "There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking professional counseling. What we all went through that day was traumatic, and if you are hurting please take advantage of the counseling services that are available to us."

Dunn called on Congress to provide more leave to Capitol officers. "I also respectfully ask this Select Committee to review the services available to us and consider whether they are sufficient to meet our needs, especially with respect to the amount of leave we are allowed."

Dunn closed by sending a message to the rioters directly.

"To the rioters, the terrorists, and the insurrections of that day: Democracy went on that night, and still continues to exist today," he said. "Democracy is bigger than any one person, and any one party. You all tried to disrupt democracy that day, and you all failed."

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