Officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6 booed at Pennsylvania state House

Two officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6 faced boos and walkouts by Republicans at the Pennsylvania state House as they visited the chamber, according to several lawmakers present.

Republicans jeered at former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and former U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, who were introduced by state House Speaker Joanna McClinton on Wednesday as part of their tour across Pennsylvania to discuss the threat they say former President Donald Trump poses to democracy.

Lawmakers' responses to the visiting officers underscores the deep division between how the parties view the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, as Democrats praised the former officers' heroism and Republicans booed, according to people present.

"All Democrats stood and applauded the officers, while a majority of Republicans either remained seated — while not applauding — began booing or left the floor," said Majority Caucus Chair Mike Schlossberg in a statement. "I do want to be clear, there were absolutely Republican members who did applaud and stand. But a majority did not."

Dunn and Gonell have been vocal in denouncing the Jan. 6 attack and criticizing Trump's rhetoric, and both invoked the former president in their statements about Wednesday's demonstrations.

Both said it was "sad though unsurprising" that Trump allies "followed his lead in mocking the January 6 attack on the Capitol and embracing political violence."

"It’s exactly why we’re out here campaigning for President Biden — because we and so many Americans are deeply concerned that history could repeat itself if Trump is not stopped," they noted in statements.

Gonell told NBC News it was “shocking, but yet not surprising” that Trump supporting lawmakers would treat