Mendoza’s fascinating testimony came on Tuesday, at the start of the Senate’s contentious hearing on the intelligence and security flaws of the January 6 Capitol attack.
“I proceeded to the Rotunda, where I noticed a residue similar to heavy smoke and smelled what I believed to be military grade CS gas – a familiar smell. It was mixed with fire extinguisher spray implanted by the protesters. The protesters continued to deploy CS at the Rotunda, “said Mendoza, a captain in the Special Operations Division
“The police received a lot of exposure to the gas, which is worse inside the building than outside, because there is nowhere to go,” added Mendoza. “I received chemical burns on my face that haven’t healed yet.”
Mendoza, who served in the US Army and was a member of the US Capitol Police for almost 19 years, said that throughout his career he has worked on controversial events and that during the events he has been called “so many names, so many times that I am insensitive now. ”
She also said that the riot at the United States Capitol, where about 140 policemen were injured and one of them was killed, “was by far the worst of the worst” of the events she worked on during her career as an officer.
“We could have had 10 times as many people working with us and I still believe that this battle would have been so devastating,” said Mendoza.
“At some point, my right arm got caught between the rowdy and the railing along the wall,” she testified. “A sergeant (from the DC police) pulled my arm and, if I hadn’t, I’m sure it would be broken.”
‘Officers begged for relief’
Mendoza told senators how he witnessed his fellow police officers being hit by objects thrown by the protesters and that, after the police cleared the Rotunda, the police had to physically hold the Capitol door while the protesters continued to try to enter the building.
“After a few hours, the police left the Rotunda, but they had to keep the door physically closed because it had been broken by rioters,” said Mendoza. “The cops pleaded for relief as they were not sure how long they would be able to physically keep the door closed with the crowd continually knocking outside the door, trying to get reentered. Eventually, the cops managed to lock the door with furniture and other objects . “
Mendoza described how she was at home with her 10-year-old son before being called shortly after 1:30 pm. She joined her fellow police officers who were already on the front lines.
“I am proud of the officers I worked with on January 6. They fought hard. I know some said the battle lasted three hours, but according to my Fitbit, I was in the exercise zone for 4 hours and 9 minutes, and many officers were in the fight before I even arrived. “