Capitol Police Officer Danny Hodges on January 6th
The Lincoln Project
Deep Dive
Why did Officer Danny Hodges not consider January 6th a riot?
The mob had a singular, pre-planned objective to stop the transfer of power, which was different from random violence.
What was the turning point for Officer Danny Hodges during the January 6th attack?
Seeing the first reinforcements from Montgomery County, Maryland, gave him hope they could outlast the mob.
How did Officer Danny Hodges feel about the readiness of MPD and Capitol Police for future incidents?
He believes MPD takes security seriously but faces historic manpower shortages, making it exhausting for officers.
What was the immediate threat Officer Danny Hodges faced during the January 6th attack?
He was trapped in a door, crushed by the mob, and struck in the head with his own baton, posing a lethal threat.
Why did Officer Danny Hodges feel the January 6th attack was different from previous civil disturbances?
The attack was pre-planned with a specific objective to stop the transfer of power, unlike random violence.
What was the significance of the oath-breaking for Officer Danny Hodges during the January 6th attack?
Many attackers, including former military and law enforcement, were breaking their oath to the Constitution, which threatened the country's stability.
How did Officer Danny Hodges escape the mob's crushing force during the January 6th attack?
Officers behind him created enough space to allow him to get out, after which he rested briefly and returned to the fight.
What was Officer Danny Hodges' perspective on the potential for future attacks?
He is less worried about another attack in D.C. due to consistent arrests, but more concerned about disruptions at state polling places.
- Hodges and his unit were initially assigned to Constitution Avenue.
- They were called to the Capitol as the situation escalated.
- The mob's aggression increased as they got closer to the Capitol building.
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