Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy Criticized For Dismissing Concerns Of Capitol Officer Injured During Jan. 6th Riot

Michael Candelori/Shutterstock,@keithboykin via The Washington Post/Twitter

June 27, 2021, 9:30 am

Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and Officer Michael Fanone met with Republican House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy on Friday to ask him to publicly denounce his fellow GOP members who voted against honoring the police who defended the Capitol during the January 6th insurrection, NBC Philadelphia reports.

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Officer Fanone was injured on the day that a mob of Trump supporters swarmed the building in an effort to prevent the certification of Joe Biden’s presidential win. McCarthy was a staunch Trump supporter himself, and still seems to be operating from that perspective.

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Fanone told reporters that McCarthy said he would address the comments of some GOP members on “a personal level,” but no more. He added that “it’s important to hear those denouncements publicly.”

Not only did the GOP refuse to honor the officers who kept them from being taken captive by people carrying explosives, but the Republicans have also blocked an independent, bipartisan commission meant to investigate the attack. On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that she’d be creating a special committee, saying she had no choice but to make it a partisan-led probe.

About McCarthy, Dunn said, “He was receptive, and I think ultimately, we have the same goal. It’s just going to take a little time getting there, I guess.” He added that the goal is “accountability, justice for everybody that was involved.”

People online are pretty disgusted with McCarthy for seemingly ignoring most of the officers’ requests:

DC Metro Police Officer Michael Fanone says he told Kevin McCarthy that he should denounce publicly Republican conspiracies about the Capitol insurrection. Fanone said McCarthy wouldn’t commit to that.

“I asked him specifically for a commitment to denounce that publicly.”

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 26, 2021

A Pelosi spokesperson calls it “troubling” that it took a “two month long public pressure campaign” for Kevin McCarthy to meet with Officer Fanone, adding it’s “more troubling that McCarthy refused” Fanone’s request to condemn Republicans who “attacked the heroism” of officers.

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 26, 2021

Kevin McCarthy is a disgrace.

— David Weissman (@davidmweissman) June 26, 2021

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Candid shot of Officer Fanone leaving his meeting with Kevin McCarthy. When Fanone was asked how the meeting went, he responded, “I need a drink.” Fanone says McCarthy refused to agree to publicly denounce members of his conference who have downplayed January 6th. pic.twitter.com/RZi68zzM7O

— scott immordino (@ScottImmordino) June 26, 2021

“I’m tired…I’m just mentally and physically exhausted. I’m ready to go home and drink a beer.”

– DC Police Officer Michael Fanone, who was injured during the January 6 insurrection, after meeting with Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthypic.twitter.com/qLNkPAy6ZY

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) June 26, 2021

Kevin McCarthy was rude to Officer Fanone. Absolutely unacceptable. He must resign as @GOPLeader.

— Scott Dworkin (@funder) June 26, 2021

DC police officer Michael Fanone after meeting with Kevin McCarthy:

“I asked him for some specific commitments: One of them was to take the select committee seriously and appoint serious participants, not obstructionists. …I’m tired of hearing my voice with regards to this.” pic.twitter.com/208cRZ0EcU

— JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) June 25, 2021

One of the worries is that any investigative commission would have the wackiest and most divisive members of the GOP put on board, like Marjorie Taylor Greene. While both Dunn and Fanone tried to be diplomatic with reporters, the months of meetings with unreceptive Congresspeople has taken a toll.

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“This experience is not something that I enjoy doing,” said Fanone. “I don’t want to be up here on Capitol Hill. I want to be with my daughters. But I see this as an extension of my service on Jan. 6th.”

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*First Published: June 27, 2021, 9:30 am