Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn Launches Congressional Bid, Vowing to Confront Trump Era
Harry Dunn, a former U.S. Capitol Police officer who experienced firsthand the "havoc and terror" inflicted during the January 6 insurrection, is now running for Congress. In an interview with HuffPost, Dunn reflected on the violent attacks and racial slurs he endured while defending lawmakers from Trump's mob five years ago. Amid the chaos, he notably performed CPR on a woman in Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer's office, a moment he now sees as ironic given his political aspirations.
A Call to Action After Tragic Events
Dunn's decision to run for Maryland's Fifth Congressional District came just hours after Alex Pretti was killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. "I said, 'We've got to do this. We have to do this. People are dying and we have to push back and get in there,'" Dunn recalled. He is seeking the seat being vacated by Hoyer, who announced his retirement on January 8, a day after another shooting involving ICE in Minneapolis. Dunn officially announced his campaign on February 4, marking his second bid after a narrow primary loss in 2023.
Confronting Threats to Democracy
In his previous campaign, Dunn focused on the threats Donald Trump posed to democracy, warning of a potential return to power with a compliant Congress. Now, he asserts those threats have materialized. "It's not even an administration anymore. We're in regime territory, and we need as many people as possible that are going to stand up to him," Dunn stated. He emphasized the urgency of electing strong Democrats to reclaim the House in upcoming midterms.
Promising Accountability and Reform
If elected, Dunn vows not to issue "blank checks" to agencies that evade congressional oversight. He plans to use subpoena powers to demand answers from administration officials about ICE's tactics, membership, and operations. "I see the same aggression in these ICE agents that I saw from rioters on Jan. 6," Dunn said, suggesting some agents might be hiding identities due to involvement in the Capitol attack. He advocates for abolishing ICE in its current form, citing a lack of functionality.
Training and Enforcement Concerns
As a 15-year veteran trained in de-escalation, Dunn questions ICE's practices, noting that agents involved in recent shootings had extensive experience. "These weren't just some rookies who just made a training error," he explained. "We are beyond the point of being able to train our way out of this." While describing himself as "100% pro police" and supportive of removing criminal immigrants, he opposes blanket immunity for law enforcement and advocates for improved citizenship paths.
Focus on Forcefulness and Representation
Dunn believes the Maryland primary will hinge on which candidate can be most forceful in leveraging congressional authority. "Who is going to press every button, pull every lever available to them?" he asked. He argues that this is not a time for career politicians but for someone to restore trust in government through accountability. Dunn links Trump's abuses of power to everyday issues, highlighting impacts on his district, where federal worker layoffs have exacerbated job market and cost-of-living challenges.
Economic and Community Impact
Maryland's Fifth District has a high concentration of federal employees, with nearly 20% of workers in this category, the highest nationwide. Dunn points to tax breaks benefiting Trump and his allies as detrimental to communities. "All roads lead back to Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies getting these tax breaks," he said, referencing a recent lawsuit by Trump seeking a $10 billion payout from taxpayers. Dunn's goal is to ensure that ordinary people are heard and represented in Congress, standing up for them against attacks.
