'Like a dagger': Former Capitol Police officer testifies on Trump's 'hostages' claim

Former U.S. Capitol Police officer Sgt. Aquilino Gonell told a court Monday that Donald Trump's comments calling Jan. 6 defendants "hostages" felt "like a dagger."

At a hearing in Washington, D.C., Justice Department prosecutors argued MAGA rioter Michael Mackrell should be sent to prison for 30 months after he "punched, pushed, and tackled several police officers as they were attempting to protect the U.S. Capitol."

During the hearing on Monday, prosecutors focused on Trump's claims that the Jan. 6 attackers were "hostages."

"If they're hostages … who are we?" Gonell told a judge, according to CBS correspondent Scott MacFarlane.

"It's like a dagger," he added.

ALSO READ: Marjorie Taylor Greene to federal election regulators: get bent over ‘MTG’

Gonell went on to explain how he was "trampled" by rioters who "desecrated the flag."

The former officer said Mackrell "was an attacker... not a victim. He's not being treated unjustly, he's not a political prisoner or a hostage."

"Mr. Mackrell was one of 40 rioters who attacked me … hearing all these dumbass excuses is upsetting and disappointing," he said, adding that Trump's use of the term "hostages" triggered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the Capitol attack.

On Sunday, former Vice President Mike Pence said it was "unacceptable" to use the term "hostages" to describe Capitol attackers.

"I think it's very unfortunate at a time that there are American hostages being held in Gaza, that the President or any other leader will refer to people that are moving through our justice system as hostages," Pence opined. "It's just unacceptable."