For Immediate Release: FORMER POLICE CHIEF ANSWERS TOUGH QUESTIONS THAT HAVE EMERGED SINCE THE CRISIS AT THE CAPITOL FIVE YEARS AGO
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A PDF version of this release is available for download: HERE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Craig W. Floyd, Founder and President
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craig@behindbadge.org
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FORMER POLICE CHIEF ANSWERS TOUGH QUESTIONS THAT HAVE EMERGED SINCE THE CRISIS AT THE CAPITOL FIVE YEARS AGO
In a frank discussion, Steven Sund raises questions about the recent pipe bomber arrest, reacts to the pardons for rioters, regrets his resignation, and reveals why his request for National Guard help was denied.
McLean, VA (January 5, 2026) - As the nation marks the five-year anniversary of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Citizens Behind the Badge (CBB) has released a riveting two-part episode of its Heroes Behind the Badge podcast featuring former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, a member of the organization’s Law Enforcement Advisory Council.
In this rare and deeply candid conversation, Chief Sund walks viewers through the events of January 6 from inside the command center—offering a detailed account of the decisions, delays, and constraints that shaped the response that day.
Chief Sund recounts how his requests for National Guard support—first on January 3 and again as the attack unfolded—were denied. He describes the moment he realized he would have to rely on neighboring police chiefs for immediate reinforcements, a decision that ultimately helped restore order and prevented the loss of life among members of Congress and their staff.
The interview also explores the dramatic shift in public perception surrounding Chief Sund. Forced to resign the day after the attack and widely portrayed as a scapegoat, he now speaks openly about the toll of that experience and how subsequent investigations have reshaped the narrative of his leadership.
“This episode is a first-hand look at what happens when responsibility is assigned without authority,” said Craig W. Floyd, CBB president and co-host of Heroes Behind the Badge. “Chief Sund’s account is not political—it is a sober examination of leadership under extraordinary constraint.”
Chief Sund addresses many of the difficult questions that have emerged over the past five years, including:
Allegations involving undercover federal agents
Claims about interactions with Jacob Chansley (“the QAnon Shaman”)
Questions surrounding officers’ actions at Capitol entrances
The long-delayed arrest of the pipe bomber
His reaction to the blanket pardon issued to January 6 rioters
He also discusses reforms implemented since the attack, the structural challenges that remain, and the ongoing influence of political oversight on the Capitol Police.
Beyond the operational details, Chief Sund reflects on the personal impact of January 6—on his career, his family, and his sense of duty. His insights offer guidance for law enforcement leaders facing crises where clarity, authority, and support are uncertain.
This episode provides a rare, unfiltered perspective on one of the most consequential days in modern American history—and a powerful reminder of how fragile public safety becomes when systems fail.
The full two-part episode can be viewed at:
Part 1 - https://youtu.be/4Gt9-yfdtXE
Part 2 - https://youtu.be/U08dT3597oU
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About Steven Sund
Steven Sund served as the 10th Chief of Police for the United States Capitol Police from June 13, 2019, to January 8, 2021. Before joining the Capitol Police in 2017, Chief Sund had a distinguished 25-year career with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., advancing from patrol officer to commander of the elite Special Operations Division. He is the author of the best-selling book, “Courage Under Fire: The Definitive Account from Inside the Capitol on January 6.”
About Citizens Behind the Badge
Established in 2020, Citizens Behind the Badge (CBB) is a national nonprofit organization based in McLean, Virginia. Its mission is to mobilize and amplify citizen support to ensure that law enforcement receives the resources and respect needed and deserved to keep America safe, and to reverse the disastrous consequences of the “defund and defame the police” movement. CBB’s founder and president is Craig W. Floyd, who led the effort to build both the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and the National Law Enforcement Museum. For more information go to: www.BehindBadge.org or email info@behindbadge.org.
