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Swalwell Leads Letter Demanding McCarthy Meet With Officer Fanone

May 13, 2021

Metropolitan Police Department Officer Michael Fanone has made multiple requests to meet with Leader McCarthy, all of which have been ignored.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-15) led 105 members in sending a letter to House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy demanding he meet with Metropolitan Police Department Office Michael Fanone. Officer Fanone bravely defended the United States Capitol on January 6 and suffered severe injuries. The letter was sent to McCarthy during National Police Week, a time to celebrate the heroism of our law enforcement officers and commemorate those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

"Officer Fanone is a veteran police officer who has dedicated his life to protecting and serving the public," wrote Swalwell. "On January 6, Officer Fanone responded to calls for backup at the U.S. Capitol, where police officers were overwhelmed by violent protesters attempting to enter the building."

"Officer Fanone's story and the experiences of police officers who were attacked at the Capitol on January 6 are worth commemorating," Swalwell continued. " During National Police Week, we respectfully request that you honor and support Officer Fanone's request to meet with you about police officers' on-the-ground experiences, injuries, and ongoing suffering from their defense of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021."

On May 5, Officer Fanone wrote to every Member of Congress describing the trauma he suffered on January 6 and expressing his disappointment with elected officials' indifference. Earlier this week, he again called the Republican Leader's office. He was hung up on. Officer Fanone has yet to speak with the Republican Leader and has been unable to schedule a meeting.

Recently released body camera footage shows Officer Fanone pleading for his life while the mob continues to brutalize him. Fanone also recalls at least one violent protester shouting, "Kill him with his own gun."

The full text of the letter can be found here.

Officer Fanone's original letter can be found here.