Capitol police officers from January 6 celebrate Trump's indictment for trying to overturn the 2020 election: 'Today is a great day for our republic'

• The Department of Justice unveiled a new indictment against former President Donald Trump on Tuesday.
• The charges brought against Trump relate to the riots on January 6, 2021.

Tuesday evening, federal prosecutors revealed that former President Donald Trump was indicted for the third time this year, this time as part of the Department of Justice's investigation into the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots, which left countless Capitol police officers bloodied and bruised, and others succumbing to injuries and trauma related to the riot.

Several former and current members of the US Capitol Police and DC Metropolitan Police who were involved in the response to January 6 celebrated the historic indictment directly after it was announced.

"Donald Trump spent his entire lifetime fucking around and he's about to find out. I'd like to think that in some small way I played a part in all this," said former Capitol Police Officer Michael Fanone to NBC News' Ryan J. Reilly. "When I heard confirmation of the indictment I couldn't help but feel incredible proud to be an American. The same way I did when President Obama announced that our military had killed Bin Laden. Today is a great day for our republic."

On January 6, Fanone was beaten and stunned with a Taser by rioters, leading him to suffer a heart attack that very same day. He was one of several officers who testified about his experiences that day to the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol in 2022.

Harry Dunn, a current Capitol Police officer who matched up with rioters on January 6 and also testified to the select committee, said that all he wants is "accountability and justice for the law enforcement men and women who fought bravely on January 6th."

"As we get closer to the proverbial finish line, I can only reflect on how long this fight has been," Dunn said. "I would be lying if I did not acknowledge my numbness with the news of the indictment today of a former President of the United States. I am confident our legal system will handle this properly."

Daniel Hodges, a D.C. Metropolitan Police officer who was crushed by a mob of rioters on January 6, said the charges brought against Trump on Tuesday "only mark the beginning."

"I'm grateful for Jack Smith, his team, and all who aided the investigation for getting us here," Hodges tweeted. "I look forward to the trial; may it be as speedy as it is consequential."

And Winston Pingeon, a former Capitol Police officer on January 6 who's spoken up several times about his experiences that day, said he wants "Justice for what my fellow officers and I endured while defending democracy on January 6th."

"One step closer," he wrote.