The Senate on Tuesday held its first hearing on the insurrection at the Capitol from Jan. 6 and invited testimony from key figures in law enforcement who were involved in the response to the domestic terrorism waged by far-right extremist supporters of Donald Trump.

Capitol Police Capt. Carneysha Mendoza was among those offering their first-person accounts. The U.S. military veteran and mother was being lauded on social media as a strong Black woman for surviving the mob violence that resulted in at least two of her colleagues dying.

Read the full text of her testimony below:

First, thank you for the opportunity to speak before the committee today and thank you all for your service to our country.

My name is Captain Carneysha C. Mendoza and I have served with the United States Capitol Police for almost 19 years. I take a lot of pride in my job. Prior to serving with the Capitol Police I served as an active duty soldier in the United States Army. My last duty station was split between the Pentagon and the Washington Area Criminal Investigation’s Division. I’ve received various awards from the Army and the Capitol Police, including an award for recovery “efforts” during the Pentagon attack. Unfortunately, I didn’t save any lives or anything, but there are certain lessons that always stuck with me after 9/11. One of those lessons is knowing the unthinkable is always possible; so be ready. So, I always take my job very seriously, as 9/11 is always in the back of my mind.

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With the Capitol Police, I have served in various operational, administrative, and collateral assignments. I’m currently serving as a captain in the Special Operations Division where I have various responsibilities to include serving as a field commander as well as a field force commander when the Civil Disturbance Unit (CDU) is activated.

Throughout my career, I have responded to and managed various critical incidents and events from Congressional and member security related issues to shootings to armed carjackings. I have served as the CDU field force commander for multiple events, including the November 14th Million MAGA March.

In my career, I have been activated to work demonstrations with various controversial groups. I’ve been called some of the worst names, so many times that, I’m pretty numb to it now.

As an agency, we have trained for and handled numerous demonstrations. It’s something we do on a regular basis and it’s something I have always felt we’ve excelled at.

During the Million MAGA March, multiple white supremacist groups (to include the Proud Boys and others) converged at the Supreme Court along with counter groups. The Civil Disturbance Unit fought hard that day; physically breaking up fights and separating the various groups. I literally woke up the next day unable to move without being in pain.

Source: Read Capitol Police Capt. Carneysha Mendoza’s Harrowing Senate Testimony About The Insurrection

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