On Tuesday, members of Congress honored Capitol Police officers who defended the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. However, some congressmen were snubbed by the family of officer Brian Sicknick, who refused to shake their hands.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy were left hanging when attempting to shake the hands of Brian Sicknick’s mother, father, and brother. The family was receiving a Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of their son and brother, who lost his life the day after the riots.
Overall, 140 officers were injured while protecting the nation’s Capitol. Brian Sicknick was among those injured, after he was sprayed with a chemical substance outside the building. He collapsed eight hours later and died on Jan. 7, 2021, of multiple strokes.
When it comes to why the Sicknick family decided not to shake the hands of the GOP leaders, Ken Sicknick, Brian Sicknick’s brother, told CBS that they "have no idea what integrity is."
Ken Sicknick also took issue with Rep. Louis Gohmert (R-TX), who he said “presented an American flag that was flown over the Capitol to a Jan. 6 rioter and told them they were a patriot. It's disgusting. Takes away everything my brother's done. Takes away the heroism my brother showed.”
While Ken Sicknick said that he was a “lifelong Republican,” he said for many, the GOP is “party first.” However, he did offer some praise for those in the party, including Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), who has continued to fight for justice for Jan. 6, including by serving on the House select committee investigating the riots.
"Liz gave up her political career to do what was right," Ken Sicknick said.
He also talked with reporters, saying that part of the reason they decided not to engage with members of the GOP was their slow approach to condemn former President Donald Trump for his action on that day.
“They won’t admit to wrongdoing, not necessarily themselves, but of Trump, of the rioters,” Ken Sicknick said.
McConnell was asked about the snub, to which he offered praise for those who put their lives on the line to protect the Capitol and members of Congress inside on Jan. 6.
"Today, we gave the gold medal to the heroes of Jan. 6; we admire and respect them," McConnell said. "They laid their lives on the line, and that's why we gave a gold medal today to the heroes of Jan. 6."
During the ceremony, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke about what she called a day of “horror and heartbreak,” but also “extraordinary heroism.”
“Staring down deadly violence and despicable bigotry, our law enforcement officers bravely stood in the breach, ensuring that democracy survived on that dark day,” Pelosi said. “So on behalf of the United States Congress and the American people, it is my honor to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the United States Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police, and every hero of Jan. 6, from every agent that responded that day.”
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