American Shield: The Immigrant Sergeant Who Defended Democracy

U.S. Army veteran Gonell tells his story with the help of award-winning journalist Shapiro (World in Between). After immigrating from the Dominican Republic as a child, Gonell, unable to speak English, arrived in Brooklyn. He soon learned English and graduated from high school, joining the U.S. Army to finance his university education. His stint in Iraq left him with PTSD, but his strong will and commitment to service led him to a career as a member of the U.S. Capitol Police. Then came the January 6, 2021, insurrection. Facing down a violent mob, he incurred life-altering injuries that ended his career. He also had to face the denials and downplaying of the violence by some of the same politicians for whom he had risked his life. Gonell felt compelled to speak up and expose the lies and hypocrisy of those who sought to suppress the truth, and he became one of four police officers to testify before the January 6 Select Committee.