Officer Daniel Hodges says Mellor was "at best, supporting the terrorists" on January 6
Daniel HodgesD.C. Metropolitan Police officer who defended the Capitol on January 6, 2021, speaking at a Magaziner campaign press conference
Hodges, a D.C. police officer who defended the Capitol on January 6, said Mellor was "at best, supporting the terrorists that wanted to install an unelected dictator" against the will of the American people.
Responding to
Magaziner argues that Mellor's January 6 participation supported an attempt to overturn the election and disqualifies him from representing Rhode Island in Congress.
“Victor Mellor was, at best, supporting the terrorists that wanted to install an unelected dictator against the will of the people of the United States.”
Original video
Reporting
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Was Vic Mellor justified in participating in the January 6 Capitol events?
Vic Mellor, the Republican nominee for Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District, defends his January 6, 2021 participation as legitimate protest and denies taking part in violence. Democratic incumbent Seth Magaziner condemns that participation as support for an attack on democracy. Their disagreement came to a public confrontation outside the Rhode Island State House in Providence on September 10, 2026, when Mellor attended Magaziner's press conference and then answered reporters' questions.
Source and context
Original video
About this source
Recording of Representative Magaziner's press conference outside the Rhode Island State House with former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and D.C. police officer Daniel Hodges, who criticize Mellor's participation on January 6.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Reporting
About this source
An attending reporter reproduces extended remarks and embeds the press conference. The reporter also offers his own criticism of Mellor, which is distinct from the speakers' quoted statements.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Reporting
About this source
Reports on the September 10 press conference, quoting Dunn and Hodges criticizing Mellor and Mellor's response to reporters that he did nothing illegal and condemns attacks on police.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Magaziner introduced Hodges at the State House press conference held the morning after Mellor won the Republican primary. Hodges said he was speaking in his personal capacity.
After the quotation
Hodges went on to describe being attacked by the crowd at the Capitol and to praise Magaziner's record on law enforcement. Mellor answered reporters afterward.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Hodges expressly denounces Mellor's January 6 participation as support for those who wanted to install an unelected dictator. That is a substantive condemnation, not merely a dispute over terminology.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Vic Mellor
More from this case
Read the full caseHarry Dunn says anyone who calls January 6 "a great day" should be ashamed
“For anybody, any human being to call that day a great day should absolutely be ashamed of themselves.”Read statement
Seth Magaziner condemns Mellor's January 6 participation
“No one who tried to attack our democracy on January 6th deserves to represent Rhode Island in Congress.”Read statement
Vic Mellor defends his January 6 participation and rejects an apology
“I didn’t do anything wrong, so no, I don’t apologize for anything either.”Read statement
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- Officer Daniel Hodges says Mellor was "at best, supporting the terrorists" on January 6
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The Dispute Index. "Officer Daniel Hodges says Mellor was "at best, supporting the terrorists" on January 6". First published: 2026-09-24. Last updated: 2026-09-24. https://disputeindex.com/events/2158-hodges-a-d-c-police-officer-who-defended