Daniel Hodges never planned to become a public figure. He describes himself as quiet and private. He works nights as a police officer in Washington, D.C. Yet in recent months, he has taken on a public role few expected. Hodges is now a Jan. 6 police witness often called by Democratic lawmakers in Congress. He says his goal is simple. He wants people to tell the truth about what happened on January 6, 2021. He believes history should not be rewritten. Hodges was one of more than 140 officers hurt during the attack on the U.S. Capitol. He and other officers tried to stop the crowd and protect lawmakers. He says the day was violent and chaotic. He rejects claims that it was peaceful. In interviews, Hodges has said he will keep speaking until false stories about that day stop spreading. He believes silence allows lies to grow. For him, sharing facts is a duty. The political landscape has changed since the attack. Republicans now control both the White House and Congress. Some party leaders have played down the seriousness of the Capitol assault. Others have supported pardons for people charged in the riot. Because of this shift, victims of the attack have fewer chances to speak publicly. Hodges has filled that gap. Democrats have asked him to testify as their sole witness in several hearings. In Congress, the minority party may call one witness at many hearings. That role gives Hodges a platform to challenge claims made by others. Lawmakers say his calm tone adds weight to his words. At one Senate hearing in October, Hodges faced a tense moment. Several other witnesses said they supported pardons for those involved in the attack. Some of those same people had hurt police officers. Hodges listened but did not react with anger. Lawmakers who invited him said his restraint made his account stronger. They said he focused on facts instead of emotion. His testimony described what officers faced that day and how it affected them. Democrats argue that Hodges’ presence exposes a contradiction. Some leaders call for stronger laws to protect police. At the same time, they downplay attacks on officers during the Capitol riot. Hodges’ story challenges that stance. During hearings, Hodges says some Republican members chose not to question him. He also says they did not approach him afterward. He views this silence as part of a wider refusal to face the truth. At a December hearing focused on threats to law enforcement, Hodges warned that mass pardons send a dangerous signal. He said they may encourage future violence against officers. He criticized what he saw as efforts to ignore clear causes of rising threats. Another lawmaker who called Hodges as a witness said misinformation remains widespread. He said many Americans watched the events of January 6 themselves. Yet some now believe claims that deny what they saw. Hodges has also testified about political violence more broadly. He told lawmakers that officers faced direct harm while defending the Capitol. He said his colleagues were attacked while doing their jobs. Hodges speaks as a private citizen. He does not represent his police department. He has testified before Congress before, including in 2021, when lawmakers first examined the attack. Since the 2024 election, debate over January 6 has intensified. The new administration defended its decision to pardon riot defendants. It said the move was meant to promote national unity. Hodges disagrees with that view. He says pardons erase accountability. He believes accountability is essential for healing and safety. His public role has brought personal cost. Hodges says he has received threats linked to his statements. Still, he continues to serve as an officer. Former officers who support him say his commitment has not wavered. They say their shared goal is justice and honesty about the worst days of their careers. Hodges admits he cannot change every mind. He says some people will always deny clear history. Even so, he believes speaking out still matters. For him, truth is worth defending, even when agreement is impossible.