January 6, 2021: Chief Steven Sund’s Courage Under Fire

On January 6, 2021, for the first time since the War of 1812, the United States Capitol came under siege. Violence unfolded in the halls of Congress, marking one of the most serious breaches of security in American history and testing the leadership, resilience, and courage of those sworn to protect it.

Chief Steven A. Sund, then the Chief of the United States Capitol Police, responded to this unprecedented crisis with resolve and decisive action. In the days before, Chief Sund had repeatedly requested additional security resources—requests that were ultimately denied. When the attack began, Capitol Police officers were vastly outnumbered and confronted by a violent, aggressive mob.

Despite issuing multiple urgent pleas for federal support, assistance was repeatedly delayed. The National Guard did not arrive until after the Capitol had been secured. Recognizing the magnitude of the threat and the failure of federal response, Chief Sund acted quickly, leveraging longstanding relationships to bring in over 1,700 law enforcement officers from regional agencies within hours. Their arrival helped stabilize the situation and restore order to the Capitol.

Only after years of Congressional investigation—and Chief Sund’s persistent efforts to testify and present the facts—has the full truth of that day begun to emerge.

Aftermath: Accountability, Exoneration, and Lasting Impact

In the years following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, Chief Steven A. Sund remained steadfast in his efforts to present a full and accurate account of the events surrounding that unprecedented day. From the outset, he actively sought opportunities to testify before Congress, determined to correct public misconceptions and contribute firsthand knowledge to the official record.

Through multiple bipartisan investigations, independent reviews, and detailed hearings, Chief Sund’s account was repeatedly validated. Congressional findings confirmed critical intelligence failures, the delayed approval of federal support despite Sund’s persistent requests, and the extraordinary bravery of the officers under his command. Time and again, these reports upheld the soundness of his decisions before and during the attack.

In a historic and unprecedented move, Congress issued a formal letter exonerating Chief Sund by name—an extraordinary acknowledgment of his leadership, integrity, and the injustice of the initial blame placed upon him.

Chief Sund’s testimony and detailed reporting have had a lasting impact. His insights contributed directly to legislative reforms aimed at strengthening the security of the Capitol and improving the protection of Members of Congress. His bestselling book, Courage Under Fire, has been widely cited in the official Congressional Record and is regarded as the definitive after-action account of January 6.

Today, Chief Sund’s actions remain a powerful example of steadfast leadership in crisis. His continued commitment to truth, accountability, and public safety continues to inform security policy and preparedness at the highest levels of government.

Excerpts from Congressional Reports:

“Had the House and Senate Sergeant at Arms approved Chief Sund’s request, it is likely the Capitol’s outer perimeter would never have been breached.”

“Before and on January 6, USCP’s intelligence division failed to fully process and disseminate actionable intelligence, which directly contributed to the overall security failures at the Capitol. The intelligence reports to USCP leadership, including to Chief Sund, were incomplete and inhibited USCP’s operational planning, leaving USCP unprepared for the attack on the Capitol.”

“The Department of Defense intentionally delayed the deployment of the DCNG to the Capitol on January 6, 2021.”

A Historic Recognition of Leadership and Truth: