In the current state of political gridlock and deep animosity shared by both parties, there is virtually nothing that the United States Congress can agree on. However even with the persisting grave divisions among politicians, unity has come in the form of bipartisan efforts to award the heroic actions of Officer Eugene Goodman. After video footage captured on January 6th, the day in which the nation’s capital was breached by domestic terrorists, Officer Goodman’s commendable work of protecting Congressmen and women has led to a legislative push to award him with a Congressional Gold Medal. 

What has historically been a smooth procedure of confirming the electoral votes for the presidential election turned into one of the darkest days in modern American history. Spurred by Trump and his GOP enablers’ lies claiming a fraudulent election, white supremacists and neo-nazis joined kahoots in an attempt to overthrow the election results, with some appearing to have intended to kill high-ranking officials such as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former Vice President Mike Pence. However it was largely thanks to the quick-thinking and unmeasurably courageous efforts of Officer Goodman that such violence never occurred. Goodman can be seen on tape looking to his left, where just a few feet down Congress was still counting votes and was completely vulnerable to attack, before purposefully shoving one terrorist so as to divert his attention away from the Senate Chambers and to provoke him into giving chase. Goodman was then able to successfully herd the chasers into a room occupied by fellow policemen, thus protecting the lives of Democrats and Republicans alike who were at first unaware of the prominent threat outside.

In response to his heroism, Officer Goodman has now been promoted to acting Deputy Sergeant at Arms of the Capitol Police. Additionally, he got to escort Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff during the inauguration. Perhaps the most impressive feat would be earning the Congressional Gold Medal, an esteemed accomplishment worthy of the officer’s selflessness. Republicant Senator Shelley Moore Capito from West Virginia has pushed for such a circumstance, saying “Officer Eugene Goodman stood bravely in the face of violence and his courageous actions undoubtedly saved lives. We owe him so much for his actions on January 6th.”

However as pointed out by social commentators, the bravery showcased by Officer Goodman isn’t just one of shere courage; it’s a deeply reflective act of fighting against injustice. Officer Goodman is African-American, and was beind pursued by people who stood in a mob colored by Confederae fags, neo-nazi memorbila and deeply racist seniment. He put his life on the line to defend a country that is plagued with an unjust system that actively oppresses people like Goodman. Yet he did so with a courage most can only dream about, and in doing so he reminded a hurting country that as long as there are those who wish to do the country evil, there will be those who are willing to fight for her prosperity.