Outgoing United States Capitol Police (USCP) Chief J. Thomas Manger has publicly criticized President Donald Trump’s pardons of the Jan. 6 defendants, expressing frustration and anger at the decision. In an interview with WTOP, Manger described the day of the sweeping pardons as one of the most troubling moments of his career.
Manger, who will retire later this week, has consistently been a vocal critic of those who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He lamented Trump’s decision to pardon nearly all the defendants shortly after his inauguration this year. The chief told WTOP, ‘I was angry and as frustrated about that as I’ve ever been professionally.’ This reaction was not unexpected given his long history of condemning the attack, referring to it as an ‘insurrection’ and an attack on democracy.
Manger’s frustration over Trump’s pardons has made him determined to continue pushing for improvements. ‘What it made me feel like is somebody’s got to stay here and stand up for these cops,’ he said. Since his appointment in July 2021, Manger has been working to rebuild and reform the USCP, implementing over 100 recommendations aimed at enhancing security and preparedness. His tenure has focused on expanding intelligence, training, and riot-response capabilities to ensure the Capitol is well-protected against future threats.
Manger’s career in law enforcement dates back to 1977, with stints as a police officer in Fairfax County and Montgomery County before becoming the first chief of the USCP. In 2022, the USCP was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their actions on Jan. 6, which Manger accepted on behalf of the department. His commitment to upholding the integrity of law enforcement remains clear, even as he faces the challenge of seeing those he believes responsible for the attack go unpunished.