WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday, October 28, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution will hold a hearing titled “Politically Violent Attacks: A Threat to Our Constitutional Order,” in which the Republican majority will advance a false narrative that political violence is a one-sided issue. Ranking Member Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today announced witnesses for the Subcommittee’s minority—Daniel Hodges, a Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer who responded to the January 6^th insurrection on the U.S. Capitol, and William (Bill) Braniff, Executive Director of the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) in the School of Public Affairs at American University.  

“Let’s be clear: political violence is, without question, a ‘both sides’ issue, and this partisan hearing only serves to turn up the temperature. Any and all politically-motivated attacks must be strongly condemned—from Democrats and Republicans alike,” said Senator Welch. “I am thankful the Subcommittee will hear directly from both a leading expert in extremism, as well as a brave police officer who defended the Capitol from the mob on January 6^th. I call on the Subcommittee to work together to curb all political violence and protect our fragile democracy.”  

Officer Daniel Hodges has served as an officer with Washington D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department since 2014. On January 6, 2021, Officer Hodges defended the United States Capitol against a violent insurrection and was injured in the attack. The mob, incited by President Trump, attempted to prevent the peaceful transfer of power and certification of the 2020 election. He returned to full duty, later testifying before the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6^th Attack., as well as a spotlight hearing by Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee focused on President Trump’s pardons and commutations for January 6^th insurrectionists. Officer Hodges was honored with the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Biden in 2023.  

Bill Braniff is a respected leader in America’s efforts to prevent violent extremism. Mr. Braniff is the Executive Director of the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) in the School of Public Affairs at American University. He is a United States Army veteran and previously served as Director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Partnerships and Programs (CP3). Mr. Braniff also led the University of Maryland’s National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), and served in leadership at West Point’s Combating Terrorism Center (CTC). 

Majority witnesses will include Michael Knowles of the Daily Wire; Chad Wolf, former Acting DHS Secretary and Chair of America First Policy Institute’s Homeland Security and Immigration Center; and Kyle Shideler, Director and Senior Analyst for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism at the Center for Security Policy. 

Logistics for tomorrow’s hearing are included below:  

Title: Politically Violent Attacks: A Threat to Our Constitutional Order 

Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 

Time: 2:30 P.M. ET 

Location: Room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Livestream: Watch live HERE. 

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