Capitol police officer Eugene Goodman received a promotion for his efforts during the Capitol storm, escorting Kamala Harris to be sworn in as vice president Wednesday.
Goodman, an Army veteran was promoted to acting Deputy Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, one of the most prominent positions in the Capitol security force. Goodman was also tapped to escort Harris; her husband, Doug Emhoff; President Joe Biden, and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, to the inauguration ceremony.
Goodman received resounding applause when he was introduced and escorted the president and vice president to the ceremony and later escorted Harris to the inauguration ceremony stage.
The Army veteran was praised after thousands of Trump supporters attacked the Capitol Building Jan 6. During the storm, Goodman was caught on video keeping back rioters and even leading them away from the Senate chamber where more than 100 lawmakers including former Vice President Mike Pence were certifying Biden’s election win.
The Capitol policeman was praised by lawmakers, who have introduced a bill to give him a Congressional Gold Medal for his efforts. Additionally, a petition to give Goodman the Presidential Medal of Freedom has more than 82,000 signatures.
“The United
States Capitol was under attack by armed, violent extremists, and Officer Eugene Goodman was the only thing standing between the mob and the United States Senate,” Representative Charlie Crist (D-FL) said, according to CBS. “I shudder to think what might have happened had it not been for Officer Goodman’s fast thinking and commitment to his duty and his country.South Carolina Senate candidate Jaime Harrison, Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey and Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO), showed their appreciation for Goodman and his actions on Twitter.
More than 100 pro-Trump protesters who stormed the Capitol have since been arrested and charged. The incident also led to former President Donald Trump being impeached by the House for a second time and being banned from multiple social media sites.