Congress Awards Eugene Goodman Gold Medal by Unanimous Consent
They can agree that the events of January 6th were horrific, but they can’t agree on whose fault it was. But for all of the wild arguments that came from Donald Trump’s defense team and the juvenile “gotcha” questions from Senate Republicans to the Democratic Impeachment Managers during the Q & A portion of the Impeachment Trial, both sides were able to unite at the end to rise and honor a true hero.
He had been sitting quietly at the back of the chamber throughout the trial, but on Friday just before they recessed for the night, Officer Eugene Goodman was recognized for his bravery during the insurrection at the Capitol. In what is now iconic footage from that day, Goodman is seen leading a pack of armed domestic terrorists in the opposite direction from where they demanded to be taken, sparing the lives of Senators and others who work in the building.
“In the weeks after the attack on January the 6th, the world learned about the incredible, incredible bravery of Officer Goodman on that fateful day,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a speech to the full Senate. “Here in this trial, we saw new video, powerful video, showing calmness under pressure, his courage in the line of duty, his foresight in the midst of chaos, and his willingness to make himself a target of the mob’s rage so that others might reach safety.”
A standing ovation for Officer Eugene Goodman, who will receive the Congressional Gold Medal. pic.twitter.com/Ml4gcirwrz
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) February 12, 2021
Goodman was also seen onan other security video redirecting Senator Mitt Romney, who was heading towards the mob, an act that most definitely saved Romney’s life, as well as escorting former VP Mike Pence to safety. For his bravery that day, Congress voted by unanimous consent to award him with the Congressional Gold Medal and rose in an extended ovation to honor him.
This is the exact moment Officer Eugene Goodman saved VP Pence's life, Pence's fam, Romney & many others in the Senate Chamber as we all know now
This is why he deserves the Congressional Gold Medal, a standing ovation, our respect & gratitude
Super Heropic.twitter.com/dro4cNhAdE
— 𝙶𝚎𝚖™💎 💖💜💙 𝚀𝙳 𝟹𝟹𝟻 (@Lady_Star_Gem) February 13, 2021
Democrats: Let's clap for Eugene Goodman
Republicans: 🙂👏
Democrats: Okay now let's hold the guy who put his life in danger accountable
Republicans: ☹️👎🏻
— Thor Benson (@thor_benson) February 12, 2021
While accolades for Goodman were being shared all over Twitter, some users couldn’t help but point out the hypocrisy of the GOP honoring a man after hours of denying the circumstances which led to why they had to honor him in the first place.
The Republican senators who just stood & applauded for Eugene Goodman are dishonoring his bravery by refusing to hold Trump accountable #ImpeachmentTrial #TrumpIsGuilty
— Give Tara Dublin Josh Hawley’s Book Deal (@taradublinrocks) February 12, 2021
A lot of those senators were clapping for Eugene Goodman and then later they’ll side with the terrorist mob he led away from them.
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) February 12, 2021