Harry Dunn Stood His Ground and So Can We

One officer’s fight for truth and justice in the face of chaos

I, like many people, get caught in the doom-scrolling cycle on social media, watching the endless flood of posts about how bad things are in our country. I admit, I contribute to it too. I post about the disturbing things the new Trump administration is doing, partly because legacy media is failing to report on them. The “Shock and Awe” strategy and the “flood the zone” tactics are designed to overwhelm, exhaust, and make us feel like we can’t fight back.

And I’ll be honest. Sometimes, it works.

But instead of just talking about the threats to our democracy, I’ve decided to do something different. I’m starting a series called Courage, Unity, Action: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things. The purpose is to remind us that we all have a role to play in defending this country. The acts don’t have to be grand. They don’t have to make headlines. Just doing the next right thing, whatever that looks like, can make a real difference. If enough of us take small steps, those steps add up to something powerful.

For this first article, I want to highlight someone who has already shown us what standing up for what’s right looks like. Harry Dunn, one of the Washington D.C. Capitol Police officers on duty on January 6, 2021.

The Call to Protect

Harry Dunn joined the U.S. Capitol Police in 2008, committed to upholding the law and protecting one of the most important institutions in American democracy. Like many officers, he had witnessed protests, high-profile events, and tense moments over the years. But nothing had prepared him for what happened on January 6.

As thousands of rioters stormed the Capitol, Dunn and his fellow officers became the last line of defense between the mob and the lawmakers inside. They weren’t just protecting a building. They were guarding the very foundation of democracy.?

Harry, a physically imposing figure at 6’7”, fought alongside his colleagues to hold back the overwhelming crowd. The violence was relentless. The hatred unmistakable. And in the middle of the chaos, he faced something even more gut-wrenching.?

Betrayed by His Own Countrymen

?It’s one thing to be outnumbered. It’s another to be attacked by the very people you’ve sworn to protect.

As Dunn tried to push back the rioters, he heard something he never expected. Amidst the shouting and violence, people in the crowd hurled racial slurs at him. He was called a traitor. A disgrace, and then, someone yelled a racial slur meant to cut deeper than any weapon.

?Harry had spent his entire career serving his country, the betrayal was sharp. But he didn’t let it break him. He did what he had always done. He stood tall and continued to fight for what was right.

The Weight of Truth

After the riot, many tried to downplay what had happened. Some politicians called it a “peaceful protest.” Others claimed it was time to move on.

But Harry refused to let the truth be buried.

He stepped forward. He testified before Congress, recounting what had really happened that day. Not just the violence, but the hate. He spoke out about the racial slurs, the exhaustion, the fear, and the sheer disbelief that fellow Americans had turned on them.

It wasn’t easy. Telling the truth often isn’t. Harry knew his words would make him a target. But staying silent wasn’t an option.

Beyond January 6

Standing up for the truth didn’t stop with his testimony. In the years that followed, Harry continues to be a voice for accountability and justice. He received the Presidential Citizens Medal, one of the highest civilian honors in the country, recognizing his courage.

Even as the accolades came, he faced criticism. Some called him a political pawn. Still to this day, both Harry and his family continue to be harassed and threatened by extremists that have been duped by the MAGA/Project 2025 agenda.

In 2023, after 15 years with the Capitol Police, he left the force. But his mission isn’t over. He decided to run for Congress, believing that if he could defend democracy on the steps of the Capitol, he could fight for it inside its chambers. Though he didn’t win his primary race, his message remained clear. America needs people willing to stand for what’s right, no matter the cost.

Harry also wrote a book, Standing My Ground: A Capitol Police Officer's Fight for Accountability and Good Trouble After January 6th, where he detailed his experiences and the lessons he learned.

What This Means for Us

It’s easy to look at people like Harry Dunn and think, well, he was in the right place at the right time. I could never do something like that. But the truth is, courage isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you choose.

Harry didn’t wake up on January 6 expecting to be a hero. He was just doing his job. But when the moment came, he made a decision. He stood firm, protected others, and spoke out.

That’s the lesson for all of us

Courage doesn’t always mean running into danger. Sometimes, it means speaking up when it would be easier to stay silent. It means calling out wrongdoing when others look away. It means doing what’s right, even when it’s not popular.

Every day, ordinary people have opportunities to make a difference. It might not be on the steps of the Capitol, but it could be in the workplace, in a community, or even at home. Doing the next right thing, even in small ways, has a ripple effect.

The Choice Ahead

We live in a time when truth is under attack, when standing up for what’s right comes with a cost. But history shows us that progress is only made when people refuse to back down.

?Harry Dunn didn’t back down.

?Neither did Lenny Skutnik, the man who jumped into the icy Potomac River in 1982 to save a plane crash survivor. Neither did the passengers on United Flight 93, who sacrificed their lives to prevent another national tragedy on September 11. Neither did Rosa Parks when she refused to give up her seat.

?The question is, will we?

Will we take the easy way out, or will we step up when the moment comes?

The next time you’re faced with a choice, big or small, remember Harry Dunn. Remember that courage isn’t about being fearless. It’s about being willing.

And if enough of us are willing, we can change the course of history. Just like he did.

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