In his final days as Chief of the United States Capitol Police (USCP), J. Thomas Manger has voiced strong disapproval of President Donald Trump’s pardons for individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. According to a report, Manger described the day of the pardons as one of the most troubling moments in his career.
Manger, who is set to retire later this week, has consistently condemned the actions of those who participated in the Capitol riot. He expressed his frustration to WTOP news, stating, “I was angry and as frustrated about that as I’ve ever been professionally.” Despite his discouragement, Manger told the outlet that it reinforced his commitment to improving the force. “What it made me feel like is somebody’s got to stay here and stand up for these cops,” he said.
Appointed as USCP chief in July 2021, Manger was tasked with rebuilding the department and implementing over 100 reform recommendations aimed at enhancing security and preparedness following the January 6th events. These reforms included expanding intelligence capabilities, training protocols, and riot-response strategies. Manger has consistently referred to the attack as an “insurrection” and an assault on democracy, contrasting with President Trump’s description of the imprisoned individuals as “hostages.”
“Some people in this country believe January 6 wasn’t that bad,” Manger told WTOP. “My cops know what happened on January 6. They know what happened. They were here.”
Manger’s career in law enforcement spans back to 1977, beginning with the Fairfax County Police Department in Virginia, where he eventually rose to chief of department in 1998, a role he held until 2004. He then served as chief of police in Montgomery County, Maryland, from 2004 until his retirement in 2019. He was appointed as the Chief of the United States Capitol Police on July 23, 2021, succeeding Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman.
Manger also expressed his “extreme disappointment” when the Justice Department agreed in principle to pay $5 million to the family of Ashli Babbitt, an Air Force veteran fatally shot during the Capitol Riot. In a message to his officers, reported by the Washington Post, Manger wrote, “In 2021, the DOJ said that there was no evidence to show that law enforcement broke the law. After a thorough investigation, it was determined to be a justified shooting. This settlement sends a chilling message to law enforcement officers across our nation — especially those who have a protective mission like ours.”
In December 2022, the USCP received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress, in recognition of their bravery on January 6, 2021. Manger accepted the honor on behalf of the department. The USCP was established in 1800, coinciding with the relocation of Congress from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., initially with the hiring of a single watchman to protect the Capitol Building. Following security concerns in 1827, President John Quincy Adams advocated for the establishment of a formal Capitol Police force, which was officially created by an act of Congress on May 2, 1828.
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