We learned the identity of Eugene Goodman just after the January 6th terrorist attack on the Capitol. Footage was widely circulated of Goodman, the sole Capitol Police officer at one of the doors to the Senate chamber, thinking fast on his feet and using himself as bait to distract a mob of terrorists. He lured the mob away from the Senate chamber and likely saved the lives of many senators just with that one fast-thinking scheme. This is the footage we had one month ago:
During the second day of the impeachment trial, the House impeachment managers began laying out the tick-tock, minute by minute, of what was happening as terrorists breached the Capitol and how close so many Capitol staffers, senators and representatives came to being murdered. The managers introduced never-before-seen footage of so many heroic acts by Capitol Police officers, who were under-resourced and outnumbered in many situations, but still managed to evacuate civilians and help people evade the terrorists. Which led to even more remarkable revelations about Officer Goodman:
It is completely incredible that Mr. Goodman saved the lives of nearly every senator, Mike Pence, Pence’s family, and numerous Capitol staffers with his quick thinking. Apparently, Mitt Romney didn’t even know that Goodman was the one to tell him to turn back and move away from danger. Reportedly, Romney found Goodman yesterday to personally thank him, and Romney was quite emotional about it. Senators have introduced a bill to give Eugene Goodman the Congressional Gold Medal as well. Goodman should be in charge of the Capitol Police, or perhaps he should be appointed the new Sergeant at Arms.
God bless Officer Eugene Goodman. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/2EIzD3D1kk
— Willie Geist (@WillieGeist) February 10, 2021
Photos courtesy of Getty.
Goodman deserves to be promoted, honored and then some.
He was! He received a promotion to acting deputy House sergeant-at-arms and escorted Kamala Harris to the stage at the inauguration!!
America does not deserve this man…..a true hero.
Someone on twitter yesterday pointed out that his name tells you what you need to know about him: Goodman = Good Man.
True! I hope he gets all the honour he deserves! 👏
Names carry a lot of meaning, more than people realize. Freakonomics did a fascinating study on names on their podcast (episode 122) Names heavily influence a person’s future for both practical reasons AND more esoteric reasons. Names are so damn important.
where are all those shouting “police lives matter” now? or does it apply only to white officers? is that mob of zombie Trumpers not threatening enough, there is something seriously wrong with America, that thinks that it is not as threatening as, say, a teenage black boy or a black nurse.
This really exposes the hypocrisy.
@SM x10000000
@SM this exactly.
“Blue lives” only matter to these people when they are taking Black lives. That’s it.
yeah, this. they like the cops that police Black folk, not the ones that police them. these “law and order” people don’t think that the law should apply to THEM, just the brown-skinned people.
Apparently, blue lives only matter until that blue life is black.
When I saw the footage the other day of them screaming at the police and attacking them, while literally holding “Police Lives Matter” flags…I just can’t.
There aren’t many times that history hinges so heavily on the actions of a one person, and this is one of them.
Right? He deserves the honours and to be put in all the history books
On top of the honors and recognition, he deserves to be set for life.
Not only Goodman but the other Capitol police officers that were face to face with these terrorists!! Goodman deserves not only an entire place in history, but also recognized as a man who faced the terrorists!!
They should honour ALL of the Capitol PO’s that day for what they survived and what they encountered. It is incredibly sad that three officers were so traumatized by the events of the insurrection, that they took their lives. Their stories must be told too!! Every Capitol PO, that did not assist with these terrorists, should be given the recognition that they deserve!!
Yes, its terrifying to think what could have happened – how close the terrorists were to having hostages, to assassinating members of Congress, etc. Goodman really did prevent that from happening.
It’s unbelievable that SO MUCH came down to whether the terrorist mob turned left or turned right. If they had turned right, unspeakable tragedy would’ve undoubtedly occurred. This hero, Officer Goodman, prevented them from doing so, by putting his own life on the line.—saving so many lives and changing the course of history all on his own. This man deserves ALL the awards our government/Congress can possibly give out, and then some. What an amazing courageous hero.
What struck me was how unassuming that door into the chambers is, tucked away in a corner behind some doors. The rioters clearly had NO IDEA what they were actually looking for – the knew where to go but am not sure they knew what they were looking for when they got there, if they had they would have known where the entrance to the chamber was.
Sadly I don’t think it will make a difference to the GOP senators, they are all so compromised.
When I thought about what Trump’s crazy advisors were telling him; invoke the insurrection act as a means of staying in power, I realized that he wanted a murder of preferably Pence (from his point of view) but Pelosi or Romney or any of them would do. And he would be in power today. We’d be at war, but Trump would be in power.
One man stood in his way and yes I know many fought and are HEROS, but the fact is Eugene Goodman was the man in the particular place and prevented them from getting their hands on both Pence and now we know Romney. He saved American Democracy. It’s stunning. I can’t even get my mind around it and I pray he is getting all of the support he needs, because my God, the man met the moment. And what a moment of horror it was.
Well said Darla. If anyone deserves a raise and commendation this dedicated police officer does. He truly went above and beyond with quick thinking and dedication to his role in this mess. His cool-headedness saved many as he steered the traitors away from the Senate Chambers. A Congressional Medal of Honor sure seems appropriate. A true American Hero. Kudos Officer Goodman.
Darla, you are absolutely right. Trump wanted…needed a bloodbath to seize power. As for Officer Goodman, I don’t think he woke up that morning realizing that he is a person of destiny, but that’s exactly what he turned out to be. He met the moment. He was one man that stood between terrorists and democracy. I know that there were many other officers that saved lives that day. The fact that everyone got safely evacuated is a testament to that. But seeing the videos, it strangely feels like Officer Goodman was placed there by some greater force.
That’s the truth.
It’s really terrifying to think about. As scary and violent as what happened was, it could have been so much worse. That violent mob was out for blood, and I think many, many people would have been killed had Goodman not been the person in that position, or had he not thought so quickly.
I believe he’s already been promoted? But honestly, give him whatever he wants.
Seeing the photos of him watching the proceedings…I kind of want every GOP scumbag who is going to vote against conviction to have to look Goodman in the eyes while doing so.
Those cowards won’t even lift their heads to watch the videos the managers are playing. They all look at their papers or pretend to be writing. Sniveling cowards.
@ lucy2, they are cowards! They could care less what Goodman did for them. Goodman saved their lives, at least Romney acknowledged him. These sniveling, spineless are Repugs only care about their party and their asses. They want to ride the Agent Orange ride so they refuse to convict him as their political future is in jeopardy. They are all spineless and useless.
Watching that video chilled my blood. I can’t imagine the courage required to face down an angry mob intent on murder without any back up or protection. I am certain that officer Goodman thought he was going to die that day, yet still he did everything in his power to prevent more deaths. I am awed and humbled by his courage, honour, and sacrifice. May his actions never be forgotten.
Eugene Goodman is a true hero and patriot.
if these gop members don’t vote to impeach, they seriously have no spines. oh that’s right, they don’t. but it’s still unbelievable to me that they continue to choose party over country. have some cajones.
They have spines. They do not have: ethics; morals; integrity; decency; patriotism; conscience; and compassion. They do have spines. They have shown us what they are. They have spines.
He will absolutely make it into history books. Decades from now when people learn about January 6th, his role as a hero will be prominent.
I hope Officer Goodman is getting all of the support he needs right now. All of the officers. They will need therapy for YEARS.
Protection for himself, his family, everyone. With the profile comes danger and we know what lengths white people will go.
I’m definitely concerned for his safety, and his mental health. I can’t imagine the trauma that he and other officers there faced.
The early footage released that day really did not tell the full story. We saw rioters walking in past police officers, being let go to leave, etc, and it was infuriating. But as more and more footage and information has come out, it’s clear how much more dangerous and violent it was, how outnumbered many of the police were, and that a lot of them, like Officer Goodman, really put their lives on the line to protect the people in that building.
It is amazing how many people are falling for Romney’s act.
That look he gave Hawley after they returned to the floor, yeah, he put two and two together and figured it out. He could have asked about Goodman at any time after all of them happened to thank him or put out a statement (he does for everything else) and he did not. He only did it because the world saw it now.
Romney is a white supremacist, just like the rest of them. He is just country club polite about it.
There’s degrees, he is a purely nasty and selfish man, but he will break rank on some issues, similar to John McCain. (And for those of who are going to start claiming McCain was a good man in some way, let’s look at the daughter he raised.)
Which one? He has three very different daughters.
Sidney, the Democratic record promoter.
Meghan, the Republican TV personality.
Bridget, the quiet and very private baby of the family.
It’s very easy to paint someone as a one-dimensional figure when you pick and choose your facts.
Cindy is no peach either, but Meghan is responsible for adult Meghan’s choices and world view.
You’re probably right, but what 2 and 2 did he put together?
I think she’s saying that Romney realized Hawley, Cruz and others were involved and/or complicit. Once you’ve been around as long as Romney and Cruz have been, you know each other. You may not like each other, but you know each other. Knowing the other put your life seriously at risk out of political machinations is quite betraying.
His story reminds me that it can take as little as one person choosing to do the right thing that can make a significant difference.
And we each have that opportunity every day – most likely (hopefully) not in the face of insurrectionists trying to destroy our government, but still.
We have the opportunity to choose to do the right thing. To be kind. To help our neighbor out. To put good out in the world. It’s the helpers that Mr. Rogers always talked about. In these very dark days with pandemics, depressions and inequalities, that’s what’s giving me hope. It’s a sliver, but it’s there.
(I’m not talking about forgiving the whole “let’s destroy America” plot of Jan. 6 – they also made a choice. And choices have consequences.)
I can only hope that if the time comes for me, I too can make the right choice like Mr. Goodman. (We also share a last name, and that makes me smile every time).
This is such a lovely comment and so true. Reading that gave me great comfort this morning. There’s so much good in this world if we can see it and be it.
Thank you for this thoughtful comment; I really needed a dose of hope today.
This is very well put. Through all the horrors of the last year I’ve really enjoyed the sense of community that has developed on our street. Yesterday there was a message to our whatsapp group from a family who needed a gas engineer as their boiler is out and now being told two weeks to get it fixed (with sub-zero temperatures) and within minutes there were various suggestions along with about five offers of electric radiators. We can all help in some way.
On a much lighter note I am now chuckling about a drivers licence or bank card in the name of ‘Fuzzy Crocodile Goodman’ and I’m enjoying that a lot!
I thought he was appointed as the new Seargent at Arms? Didn’t this happen already? Like before inauguration?
I think it was just honorary.
No.
He is currently the acting Deputy Seargent at Arms.
This officer is a true hero. My hope is that he reaps recognition and rewards for his bravery and decision making on that terrible day.
I can’t believe how clever and quick thinking he was in that situation. I would have been like a deer in the headlights.
It was a tremendous act of courage, and we should honor him in a lasting way.
When Goodman was chosen to participate in the inauguration, I knew that there had to be more to the story and now that I read that some of the Senators themselves still do not have a full picture of what happened, personally, to them, in that day, I don’t know what to think.
The Capitol police have been instructed to talk to no one. Out of the 2000 officers that serve on that force , not one person has shared his/her story.
It sounds like there’s a cover up that we may never know the extent of, unless there is some kind of Warren-type commission, apart and aside from these impeachment proceedings.
But the images of A black American saving whites Americans who are being threatened by white supremacists ? It’s just everything we need to know about America today. If a screenwriter Pitched this script,everyone at the pitch meeting would say “no that’s too over the top and there’s not even a metaphor in there…” ha.
they may have to keep quiet because there’s potentially a murder charge that will be issued for the killing of that one officer, and if it’s an active case they’ve probably been given the gag order as not to disrupt/taint/impede etc any investigation.
This. One or more need to answer for that officer’s death. And it should go just as hard on the individual or individuals that committed the murder as anyone else who kills a police officer. Stuffing penalties possible. Trump should seriously be looked at as an accessory to murder. Thoughts C B ers that are attorneys?
Look at his eyes in the photograph of him watching the clip. Notice how he has his arms crossed tightly in front of himself. Take note of how his forehead muscles are bunched across his brow.
This poor man is traumatized and maybe reliving that trauma while watching this clip.
Yes, he deserves medals and praise to the very skies, but he also deserves meaningful support as he heals. Therapy, some paid time off from work to rest, maybe nutritional guidance for gut health, and continuing general support with overall wellbeing, He deserves to be cared for in the longer term in response to his excellent care for others during the acute crisis.
I wish him all the very best as he processes what happened and his role in all of it. I wish him steady healing and lasting wellbeing.
Ever since the coup attempt, this man’s life has been threatened. He has security. These people in this country are truly demonic, don’t let anyone tell you differently.
I am very worried about Officer Goodman. Not only is he dealing with the trauma of what happened on 1/6, and death threats, but also, i think it is actually very difficult to deal with being hailed as a hero and being in the national spotlight like this.
Back in the 90s, a man from my hometown (whose mom was someone i know pretty well) went through a very big event in the military where he was in the national spotlight and being hailed as a hero. (To say who it was/what happened, would kind of dox myself because we’re from a very small town.) Our town had a big parade for him and he rode in it. You could tell that he felt so embarrassed & miserable riding on that float. I later learned about how he had a terrible time dealing with the sudden fame, attention, and accolades, while also trying to cope with major trauma from the event that made him a hero. It added to his trauma because he felt undeserving; he felt like he had simply done his job and was nobody special, so all the praise made him feel almost kind of ashamed. The whole “hero” label put on him and all the fame made him nothing but miserable & depressed.
Hopefully Officer Goodman deals with it very differently. I want nothing but happiness for him.
Yes, I can see this. Also, no one is perfect or lived perfectly, so you are being set up for a fall. I feel like that anyway. I know if I did something good that put me in the public eye I would be terrified. I don’t want it.
I’m concerned as well. He was reportedly uncomfortable with the amount of attention he received. I hope, in his new position, that he is able to remain out of the spotlight. He’s receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor along with the rest of the Capitol Police Department & MDPD.
Yes, and on top of that, he is African-American and the target of everything these racist bigot terrorists are attacking. So it’s on levels that only someone in his position can even understand. I’m praying for him and praying for those who protect him and his family, now and for years to come.
The response to being suddenly and publicly labelled a hero that you describe is, unfortunately, exceedingly common (possibly even the *most* common), especially among members of law enforcement or the military. Especially in cases where others have died, there’s often a huge sense of survivor’s guilt for the person being lauded as a hero. I have no doubt that Officer Goodman is dealing with this on top of everything else. His name, as others here have pointed out, will likely now have a place in future history books; what about the names of the officers who didn’t survive that day? Their deaths will surely be noted, but their names will be footnotes at best.
There are many instances in US history of this kind of sudden and public adulation of “national heroes” and the effect that has on them. I studied this from a media and cultural studies perspective for my doctorate. An iconic example from the 20th century is from WWII—the flag raising on Iwo Jima. Joe Rosenthal’s famous photo inspired the Marine Corps War Memorial. The men in the photo were hailed as heroes, removed from active duty, and sent on a nation-wide tour to sell war bonds. Sadly, the experience pretty much derailed their lives.
Edited to add: I forgot to mention—the story of the Iwo Jima heroes has, of course, been described in the book (and the movie based on it), Flags of Our Fathers.
Officer Goodman is a shining light in all of this.
Watching the videos, I could hear the criminals chanting USA and that was so incredibly disgusting to hear.
Chilling.
The chanting is so gross. Fourth of July in my hometown has always been a big deal. I walked in several parades when I was a kid. It was a great experience. But these days, the flag makes me wince because so many nasty people use it as their emblem. I’m embarrassed of the behavior of many Americans these days. It all overshadows the good things about America and the good people like Officer Goodman.
It’s a real shame that “patriot” in America means violent racist insurrectionist. What irony. If anyone around me identified themselves as patriots I would run for cover.
Watch Mittens refuse to convict Trump, too, in full contempt of this officer’s quick thinking and risk taking. The Republican Party disgust me.
I dunno, didn’t he vote to impeach the first time?
He did vote to impeach Trump the first time, yes. The only Republican that did so. I can’t imagine he would vote against impeachment here; Trump’s crimes are on a whole other level this time around.
Agreed, his bark is worse than his bite. He falls in line with the rest of the GOP when it comes down to it.