Riot Slayer Trades Gun for Power

A Capitol Police hero who stared down rioters shouting racial slurs now storms the ballot box, trading his badge for a bid to reshape Congress from the inside.

Story Snapshot

Harry Dunn defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, facing brutal attacks and epithets from election-overturning rioters.
Earned top honors like the Presidential Citizens Medal before launching his congressional run in Maryland’s 3rd District.
Authors a New York Times bestseller, *Standing My Ground*, channeling riot trauma into a call for accountability and protection.
Brings 15 years of law enforcement expertise, including crisis negotiation, to a Democratic-leaning district hungry for security-focused leadership.
Reflects on five years of democratic scars in 2026, warning of normalized threats while advocating officer mental health.

Harry Dunn’s Path from Badge to Ballot

Harry Dunn graduated from James Madison University in 2005 with a B.S. in Health Science, focusing on public health education. He joined the U.S. Capitol Police in 2008 as a Private First Class, rising to serve in the First Responder Unit. Dunn secured perimeters during inaugurations, State of the Union addresses, and peaceful protests. His expertise as a Crisis Intervention Officer and Negotiation Team member earned awards for firearm interdictions and de-escalating mental health crises. This foundation prepared him for chaos beyond imagination.

January 6: The Day That Redefined Duty

Rioters stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, to halt election certification. Dunn confronted them head-on, enduring physical assaults and racial slurs like the N-word, hurled by attackers claiming presidential authorization. Lacking prior warnings or proper gear, he and fellow officers held the line. Dunn later testified before the House January 6 Committee, exposing leadership failures. President Biden awarded him the Presidential Citizens Medal, America’s second-highest civilian honor, alongside a Congressional Gold Medal. These moments forged his public voice.

Award-Winning Stand and Bestseller Breakthrough

Post-riot, Dunn received multiple accolades for valor, including the Presidential Citizens Medal from Biden, who praised his courage. He authored *Standing My Ground*, released October 2022 by Hachette Books, which hit New York Times bestseller lists. The memoir details his frontline fight, personal trauma, and commitment to democracy. Dunn positions his story as an oath extension: protect and serve. Rep. Jamie Raskin hailed him as a figure future generations would thank. This platform propelled him toward politics.

Dunn launched his candidacy for Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District in 2021-2022, targeting Baltimore-Washington suburbs. The Democratic stronghold demands accountability after the insurrection’s democratic wounds. He leverages 15 years with the Capitol Police, emphasizing security and reform. Influencers like his JMU alumni network and Black community awards, such as the Gus Heningburg Award, bolster support. Speaking bureaus book him for law enforcement audiences nationwide.

NEW: Jan 6 police responder Harry Dunn is running for Congress in Maryland. https://t.co/ji4CjGQC9A

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) February 4, 2026

Ongoing Fight and 2026 Reflections

Early 2026 marks five years since January 6. Dunn discusses enduring scars, rioter trial videos, and threats to democracy in interviews like MS NOW. He recalls rioters’ claims of presidential permission and unheeded pre-riot alerts. As author, speaker, and candidate, Dunn advocates mental health for officers facing PTSD. His bid challenges election denialism, aligning with Democratic defenders-of-democracy framing. Limited polling data exists, but his visibility sustains momentum in a polarized landscape.

Impacts on Officers, Voters, and Democracy

Dunn spotlights Capitol Police underpreparedness and trauma solidarity for affected officers. Black communities connect through his racial epithet experiences. Maryland 3rd District voters gain a security expert pushing policing equity and reforms. Short-term, he elevates January 6 talk amid midterms; long-term, potential congressional roles could shape democracy protections. Law enforcement benefits from his mental health push, while publishing sees a trauma-to-triumph model. Facts affirm his heroism without counter-narratives.