Fallen Capitol Officer's Family Refuses to Shake Mitch McConnell's Hand at Ceremony for Jan. 6 Heroes
Mar. 15, 2025Loved ones of a fallen police officer whodefended the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, are not ready to make nice with politicians who enabled rhetoric that spawned the attempted coup.
On Tuesday, the Capitol and D.C. police departments were awarded with the Congressional Gold Medal for their officers' bravery in protecting members of Congress from angry rioters at the Capitol building, even as they were far-outnumbered.
The ceremony, held in the Capitol Rotunda, was emotional at times, joyous at others and tense at one moment in particular: when the parents and brothers of late Capitol Police OfficerBrian Sicknickwarmly greeted Democratic LeaderChuck Schumerbefore walking right past Republican LeadersMitch McConnellandKevin McCarthy.
Gladys Sicknick warmly greets Chuck Schumer before ignoring Mitch McConnell’s outstretched arm.AP Photo/Alex Brandon
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Asked afterward why she didn’t greet McConnell and McCarthy,Brian’s mother, Gladys, told CNN, “They’re just two-faced.”
“I’m just tired of them standing there and saying how wonderful the Capitol police is and then they turn around and … go down to Mar-a-Lago and kiss [Donald Trump’s] ring and come back and stand here and sit with — it just, it just hurts,” she said.
Congressional leaders Chuck Schumer (D), Mitch McConnell (R) and Kevin McCarthy (R).Sipa via AP Images
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Still, considering the Republican Party’s role in inciting the violence that took their loved one, the Sicknicks struggled to find appreciation for either of the GOP’s current leaders.
“January 6 was a day of horror and heartbreak. It is also a moment of extraordinary heroism,” House SpeakerNancy Pelosisaid at the ceremony, in one of her final acts beforestepping down from congressional leadership. “Staring down deadly violence and despicable bigotry, our law enforcement officers bravely stood in the breach ensuring that democracy survived on that dark day.”
D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee commended his officers, saying, “You did not give up. You did not give in. And yes, you were vastly outnumbered. But you were determined, exhausted and injured. It will show your sweat and your tears that mark these realms where we stand today. You show the world just a glimpse of what we are.”
source: people.com
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