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After the events of the January 6 insurrection, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to award Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman—who gained national notoriety for bravely leading Trump supporters away from the Senate chamber—a Congressional Gold Medal.
Goodman was present to receive his commendation and the Senate rose to applaud the officer. One Senator, however, appeared to stand without actually clapping.
Video footage of the moment seems to show Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky showing little enthusiasm for the moment.
Watch Rand Paul as the Senate gives a standing ovation to Officer Goodman and all of the Captiol law officers. https://t.co/Ikcizo1LXV— Mystery Solvent (@Mystery Solvent) 1613173187.0
Paul later claimed on Twitter "there is no bigger supporter of the Capitol Police than me."
He also claimed the video shared widely online was a "deceptive media edit."
There is no bigger supporter of the Capitol Police than me. They saved our lives on the ball field. Yesterday I sto… https://t.co/IENPQQoKLf— Senator Rand Paul (@Senator Rand Paul) 1613229170.0
Despite his insistence, Rand was condemned online for his lack of support.
People chose to believe the video over Paul's claims.
@Booker4KY And it seems he was the only one to not applaud Officer Goodman. Some of these folks feel as if they are… https://t.co/zLqt1nHCED— Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair (@Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair) 1613181585.0
@RandPaul There is video. Standing - yes. Cheering & clapping - no. I believe my own eyes but will stand correcte… https://t.co/Mwnu0YPMM8— D (@D) 1613229904.0
Because Rand Paul did not applaud Officer Goodman we should make damn sure he is not re-elected in 2022 https://t.co/h2nFqbsOAX— DexterTheDirtKing (@DexterTheDirtKing) 1613184321.0
Until Paul offered alternate video of the moment—which he has not—many online were inclined to believe what they'd seen.
@RandPaul Actually, no you didn't. Sharing--- Watch Rand Paul as the Senate gives a standing ovation to Officer G… https://t.co/BYoXDdj6mh— Margie (@Margie) 1613235400.0
@RandPaul You are such a big supporter that you will vote to acquit the one person who put all of the Capitol Police in danger. Nice try.— Kristin Tuten (@Kristin Tuten) 1613229364.0
Many other people pointed out if Paul truly supported the Capitol Police, he would have been more offended by the insurrection which put them in danger.
@RandPaul Except that you are unwilling to stand up to Trump’s insurrection tactics that overwhelmed those officers… https://t.co/KZex7xoEtK— mynameismyname (@mynameismyname) 1613229469.0
@RandPaul But you're going to acquit the guy that assembled and cheered on a mob that led directly to the deaths of three of them?— James Armstrong 🟠⬆️🏳️🌈✊🏾 (@James Armstrong 🟠⬆️🏳️🌈✊🏾) 1613229626.0
@MysterySolvent When you see Ran Paul clearly uncomfortable with a public display of respect and appreciation for a… https://t.co/81DTErmRVT— Chris Papalia (@Chris Papalia) 1613177566.0
Twitter dragged Paul for his apparent lack of support for an officer who put himself in danger to protect Senators like him.
@MysterySolvent @mini_bubbly What is his problem?— Rae Girl 🇨🇦 (@Rae Girl 🇨🇦) 1613174413.0
@MysterySolvent Kennedy went with the golf clap. Rand Paul went with the full snub.— John Mize (@John Mize) 1613184199.0
For many, Paul's claims of support felt insincere.
@MysterySolvent Rand Paul didn’t clap because Officer Goodman A) is black B) kept insurrectionists from killing people C) all of the above.— Bill Abbasi🇺🇸 (@Bill Abbasi🇺🇸) 1613177748.0
@RandPaul You can prove your support of the Capitol police with your vote, or you can continue with hollow platitudes.— Scott McCarthy (@Scott McCarthy) 1613229379.0
Rand Paul can write he's a huge supporter of Officer Goodman, but the video evidence seems to show otherwise.