Senate

New video shows Romney running to safety as rioters breach security

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah)
New York Times/Pool

House Democrats on Wednesday introduced a chilling new video at former President Trump’s impeachment trial showing Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman redirecting Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) in the halls of the Senate to protect him from the mob storming the Capitol. 

Democrat Stacey Plaskett, a delegate from the Virgin Islands, narrated the never-before-seen footage.

In the video, Romney can be seen striding toward the Senate chamber. Goodman is running toward him and can be seen shouting orders at him as he passes, causing Romney to quickly turn around and run for safety. 

“Officer Goodman passes Sen. Mitt Romney and directs him to turn around in order to get to safety,” Plaskett said.

“On the first floor, just beneath them, the mob had already started to search for the Senate chamber. Officer Goodman made his way down to the first floor where he encountered the same insurrectionists we just saw breach the Capitol,” she said.

A bipartisan bill has been introduced into the Senate to award Goodman the Congressional Gold Medal for his actions during the riots. 

Romney subsequently had a conversation with Goodman. 

“I expressed my appreciation to him for coming to my aid. Getting me back into the path of safety,” Romney said.

Romney said that he was on his way to workspace he has in the Capitol after being alerted that rioters were in the building, but that Goodman directed him to go back to the chamber.

A separate, public video that went viral on social media on the day of the insurrection shows Goodman distracting the rioters to redirect them away from lawmakers who were scrambling for safety as the Capitol was attacked.

Plaskett, who is one of the House Democratic impeachment managers, introduced new footage to underscore how lawmakers and former Vice President Mike Pence were in danger during the siege. 

The new video shows rioters stalking the hallways in search of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) with taunting calls of “Nancy, oh Nancy” as they streamed into the building.

The new footage also includes images of Pence escaping out the back of the Senate chamber shortly before Trump tweeted that he and his supporters had been let down by Pence. 

Plaskett also played audio of desperate Capitol Police officers calling in to headquarters and pleading for backup.

“Multiple law enforcement injuries … we need some reinforcements up here now!” officers can be heard saying.

Jordain Carney contributed. Updated at 8:11 p.m.

Tags Capitol insurrection Capitol Riots Donald Trump Donald Trump Impeachment Mike Pence Mitt Romney Nancy Pelosi Stacey Plaskett

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