FLINT, Michigan (WNEM) – A former police officer recounted January 6, 2021, the day he saw an angry mob of hundreds storm the U.S. Capitol.

“I’m saying I’m a living primary source on a very historic event and I have a moral obligation to make sure people understand the truth,” said Officer Danny Hodges of the DC Metropolitan Police.

He and another official who witnessed the chaos were campaigning for Vice President Harris in Flint on Friday, August 9.

TV5’s Zain Omair explained why the officers defending the Capitol were so vocal in their support for the Harris-Walz campaign.

The panel was packed as participants talked about the historic day at the Capitol and the significance of this election.

“They had bombs, they had guns, they had knives, short swords, they had chemical irritants, they had cattle prods, a sledgehammer, they had an incredible arsenal,” Hodges said.

Police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol recalled their experiences during and after January 6, 2021.

“I thought I was going to be a police officer for the rest of my career,” said former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn. “I left the department in December of last year because I felt I had done everything I could as a police officer to do my part to serve my country.”

The discussion was part of a stop by the Harris-Waltz campaign in Michigan as Harris seeks to defeat former President Donald Trump this November.

“What would those insurgents have done if they had gotten some of us? I don’t even want to imagine what they would have done, because what they wanted to do to you, a law enforcement officer, makes me really curious what they would have done if they had made it to the end,” said State Rep. Dan Kildee.

Hodges and Dunn both said it was important to them to bring their stories to Michigan.

“It represents Donald Trump’s view on a peaceful transition of power. In the debate with Joe Biden, he said he would have to wait and see whether he accepted the election results or not,” Dunn said.

“I want to make sure that everyone in Michigan knows the full and comprehensive story of what happened on and around January 6 when it comes to deciding who they are going to vote for,” Hodges said.

And they said the events of January 6, 2021, are a crucial point of discussion this election season.

“An informed electorate is our best weapon against the ignorance and violence we saw that day,” Hodges said.

Election day is November 5th.

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