Courage Under Fire: The Definitive Account from Inside the Capitol on January 6th

On January 6, 2021, for the first time since the War of 1812, the US Capitol came under siege. Blood was spilled in the halls of Congress, marking one of the darkest days in American history and testing the courage of those defending it. Courage Under Fire, named to honor the bravery of Capitol defenders, is former US Capitol Police Chief Steven A. Sund’s firsthand account of the events leading up to and during that attack.

Chief Sund’s narrative delivers a gripping, minute-by-minute account of the brutal assault as law enforcement officers—outnumbered fifty-eight to one—fought valiantly to defend the Capitol against an enraged mob. Despite Sund’s repeated pleas for assistance, the National Guard was delayed due to political hesitation, arriving only after the Capitol had been secured. Officers were assaulted with pipes, flagpoles, boards, makeshift weapons, bear spray, and other chemical irritants. Pipe bombs were discovered near the DNC and RNC, which Sund viewed as diversionary tactics designed to distract and escalate the chaos.

Law enforcement faced intense and immediate criticism from the media and members of Congress in the charged, post–George Floyd, “Defund the Police” climate, with little recognition of Sund’s efforts to regain control of the Capitol. Despite his repeated requests for reinforcements and decisive actions, Sund was subjected to immense pressure and ultimately forced to resign. Meanwhile, Congress, led by those responsible for key decisions that left the Capitol vulnerable before and during the attack, impeached a sitting president.

Ironically, while Sund was forced to resign, Congress’s direct role in the Capitol’s vulnerability was ignored. The leaders at the Pentagon who stalled the National Guard were lauded as heroes, while the real heroes—Sund and his officers—were left to bear the blame for the chaos they were forced to confront.

As one of only ten men to serve as chief of the US Capitol Police, Sund details his command decisions, the intelligence failures that left his officers exposed, and the obstacles he encountered in securing National Guard support. His account, validated by journalists and congressional reviews, presents a clear, factual recounting of the crisis—not a political exposé. Sund’s story highlights the unprecedented challenges his officers faced, their courage, and the lingering questions about why the Capitol was left so vulnerable on that fateful day.