WATCH: Jan 6 Cop Loses It Over Trump’s Pardons, Drops F-Bomb On Live TV
Former Capitol Police Officer Michael Fanone — one of potentially criminal January 6 Committee’s handpicked witnesses — had a meltdown while reacting to President Trump’s decision to pardon or commute the sentences of all January 6 prisoners during his first day in office.
Fanone was asked to react to a statement from Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, who was sentenced to nearly two decades in prison after a highly controversial “seditious conspiracy” trial in Washington D.C., a city in which 92 percent of residents voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in November. Rhodes had his ridiculously long sentence commuted by the president while his case is further reviewed for a potential full pardon.
When asked if he had “any regrets” about the January 6 protests after his release from prison, Rhodes stated that he did not. “We did the right thing,” he said. “We were there to protect Trump supporters from Antifa. We were there to protect and secure two permitted events on Capitol grounds where members of Congress were going to speak. The guys that went inside, they’re not committing the crimes. We’re there to help the police and help the people out.”
Problems with Antifa and other far-left militant groups were well documented during the Stop the Steal on December 13, 2020, which preceded the January 6 events by a few weeks. Small groups of Trump supporters were repeatedly attacked by Antifa while leaving the event, leading to clashes between the Proud Boys and other groups who were attempting to protect Trump supporters. A total of 33 people were arrested in the clashes, while several people were stabbed.
Antifa militants attack a car filled with Trump supporters during the December 13, 2020 ‘Stop The Steal’ rally in Washington D.C.
Photo: Drew Hernandez (@DrewHLive)
Despite the documented violence towards Trump supporters in D.C. in the weeks leading up to the January 6 protests, Fanone had a meltdown when reacting to Rhodes’ comments during a live appearance on CNN.
“He says he has no regrets. What do you say, Michael?” the former Capitol Police officer was asked by CNN’s Pamela Brown. “Yeah, I mean, this is what I would say to Stuart Rhodes, go f**k yourself,” Fanone replied without hesitation. “You’re a liar!”
The swear word was not bleeped out on the air, drawing an initial shocked reaction from Brown, who proceeded to defend Fanone and excuse his outburst. “We didn’t obviously get to beep that word out, but obviously you, this is personal to you, Michael. This is very personal” the host replied.
The segment was one of many outbursts Fanone has had on CNN in the day’s following President Trump’s decision to pardon the January 6 political prisoners. Trump issued a full and unconditional pardon for all but a couple dozen protesters whose cases will be further reviewed for a full pardon. Those who did not receive a pardon right off the bat did receive commutations, however.
“I can say this; murderers today are not even charged. You have murderers that aren’t charged all over,” the president said in response to the question about pardons on Tuesday. He then pointed to cities like Philadelphia and Portland, both of which have seen their respective homicide rates skyrocket since 2020. “These people have already served years in prison and they’ve served them viciously. It’s a disgusting prison. It’s been horrible, it’s inhumane,” Trump added.
During a separate conversation with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Fanone lashed out at Trump supporters for “betraying” him, adding that he no longer feels he can be protected by law enforcement. “Thanks America,” a stone-faced Fanone told Cooper. “This feels like a betrayal to you?” the host then followed up.
“I have been betrayed by my country. Rest assured I have been betrayed by my country and I have been betrayed by those that supported Donald Trump. Whether you voted for him because he promised these pardons or for some other reason, you knew that this was coming and here we are,” the January 6 committee witness responded.
In a disturbing post-election interview with the Washington Post, Fanone suggested that he will be hiding out in the mountains as a result of Trump’s victory. “Better f***ing arm yourselves,” Fanone told The Post while taking a sip of beer.
Fanone went on to explicitly state that he would rather be “killed in a shootout,” according to Washington Post reporter Kara Voght, rather than subject himself to arrest by federal officers if he is investigated by the Trump Department of Justice.
“I’ll die right here on my f***ing house,” he said. “I’m not going to be in some ‘Apprentice’ f***ing military tribunal.” The former Capitol Police officer added that he does not view himself as a “prepper weirdo,” though he does expect the DOJ to be “weaponized” by Trump and suggested that he is willing to fight back with force.