Some years ago my granddaughter wrote a letter to the president asking him to take care of our environment. The White House was so impressed they invited our family to the annual Easter Egg Hunt.

While there we went to the Capitol Building so my grandchildren would see for themselves where our Congress meets and votes on bills. Sitting in the balcony looking down on the Capital floor, my grandson who was an extremely charming 6-year-old befriended the head of security who invited us on a personal tour.

He led us through paths that weaved in and out of sight, until we were actually down on the floor of the Capitol. We saw where Congress sits and the door where the President enters when giving his state of the Union Speech. We were shown how each member votes, using something similar to a credit card.

We were even permitted to go up to where the Speaker of the House sits. I hope it made a lasting impression on my grandchildren.

For me, I was in complete awe of the magnitude of the decisions made in this very room. I felt so patriotic and overwhelmed with pride in my Country and our form of democracy.

Perhaps with this background I found the vicious attack on our Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, so very truly disturbing and frightening. I watched in horror as an angry mob stormed their way into the building smashing windows and pushing through the sacred doors.

The mob believed a lie that the election had been “stolen,” when in fact every accusation raised had been investigated and dispelled. It was a fair election and the former president lost.

Our own U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, a Republican, in his last town hall meeting via phone tried in vain, even bringing in an expert to answer questions,to convince the people of our district that the election was fair. Something the former president just refused to admit.

For weeks after the election, instead of graciously admitting defeat, he continued to push the idea the election was stolen. He and his group insisted that dead people had voted, that ballots were destroyed and any other far fetched ideas. None of it was true as reflected in all the investigations, including those hired by the former president.

A rally was held on the same day as Congress met to certify the election results. Many of the speeches were inflammatory and all reflected this false narrative. The crowd started chanting “Stop the Steal.” The rally became a mob as they marched down to the Capitol building.

Once there they beat the police, sprayed them with bear spray, hit them with flag poles, punched, and kicked. One vivid image to me was of an officer with his arm half way through the door, when the mob shut it … squeezing his arm as they pushed harder , all the while the officer screaming out in pain. We watched as they tore down pictures, stole items, brought in a confederate flag, and the out of control mob even defecated on the floors. The mob broke through the heroic officers who were there to protect the People’s House.

Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell testified to Congress about his experience in the tunnel on Jan. 6. “My fellow officers and I were punched, kicked, shoved, sprayed with chemical irritants by a violent mob. … I could feel myself losing oxygen and recall thinking to myself: ‘this is how I’m going to die — defending this entrance.'”

Lawmakers were evacuated from the building as the violence escalated. Congress members ran and hid for their lives. The Capitol police remained at their posts and duty to protect the People’s House, at great risk to their own personal safety.

After a few hours of total mayhem, the Capitol was secured, the rioters removed. Congress was able to safely return and did the work of the People, by certifying the votes that resulted in a transition of power.

“To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win,” Vice President Mike Pence said once lawmakers reconvened after many spent hours in lockdown. “Violence never wins. Freedom wins, and this is still the people’s house.”

It was a wild vicious, violent and cruel assault on the officers who protect our House. Yes officers were injured and there are several deaths that can be attributed to the attack. The officers were attacked all due to a huge lie pushed forward.

Some of the most violent groups such as Oath keepers and Proud Boys led the attacks. Many of the attackers had prior convictions or pending charges for crimes including rape, sexual abuse of a minor, domestic violence, manslaughter, production of child sexual abuse material, and drug trafficking.

Now here we are in 2025, the former president is re-elected. As one of his first acts he pardons all 1,500 of the convicted felons who had attacked our Capitol. All as a whole, so even the most violent attackers were pardoned. Most of these felons had admitted their guilt, they pleaded guilty. Yet, they all were pardoned. All no exceptions, so that the most violent were released along with the others. Released into our communities with no warning or supervision.

I can think of no greater betrayal to the Capitol Police who took an oath to protect us, than to pardon their attackers. These police officers put their very lives on the line, trying to protect our democracy. The cornerstone of our system of democracy is the peaceful transfer of power. Those brave officers put protection of our Democracy before even their own safety. I, along with the majority, of our country oppose these pardons.

Polls have indicated 77% of voters opposed pardons for those convicted of assaulting police officers, including 57% of Republicans and 63% of current military and veterans. 78% opposed pardons for those convicted of using a deadly or dangerous weapon, including 59% of Republicans and 70% of current military and veterans.

We the People oppose the pardons. Most of us stand in solidarity with the Capitol Police who at great risk to themselves tried to stop the violent attack. The pardons are an insult to the police, to Congress, and yes to us the People. We the people thank you, Capitol Police, for risking your lives to safeguard our democracy and oppose the betrayal that these pardons reflect.

Judi Lutz Woods is a Fredonia resident.