Tucker Carlson calls Black Capitol Police officer "angry left-wing activist"
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Fox News host Tucker Carlson is facing backlash after attacking a Black Capitol Police officer who said he was called the n-word while defending the Capitol during the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection.
Driving the news: Carlson on his show Wednesday called Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn an "angry left-wing political activist" who "has very little in common with your average cop."
- Dunn, a vocal advocate for a congressional investigation into the the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, previously told the Washington Post that Black officers endured additional attacks during the insurrection, saying he was called the n-word more than a dozen times.
What they're saying: "Tonight Fox News allowed its host Tucker Carlson, who has not served a day in uniform, whether military or law enforcement, to criticize the heroism and service of African-American U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn," the officer's attorneys said in a statement late Wednesday.
- "Our client has served 13 years in law enforcement and on January 6, 2021, fought against an insurrectionist violent crowd — no doubt many of them Carlson's supporters — to protect the lives of our elected officials," the lawyers continued.
- "Frankly, the last thing Carlson wants is for the truth to emerge of what happened that day and why."
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) in a tweet posted after Carlson's remarks thanked Dunn and other officers who protect the Capitol.
- "He put his body between lawmakers and an armed mob," Swalwell said.
- Fox News did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
The big picture: Dunn is expected to testify before the House select committee examining the Capitol attack on July 27.
- Efforts to form a bipartisan committee fell apart on Wednesday after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) as two of the five Republican appointments over past statements that "make it impossible for them to exercise judgement."
- House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy responded by threatening to pull the five Republicans off the committee and instead pursue his own investigation.
