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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ken Sicknick, brother of Brian Sicknick, a U.S. Capitol Police officer who tragically died shortly after the January 6, 2021, insurrection, addressed President Trump’s recent decision to grant clemency to approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 events during a press conference in Washington, D.C.
Ken Sicknick expressed his emotions regarding the pardons, emphasizing the lethal nature of the assault on the Capitol. “Brian died while protecting the United States Capitol from a violent crowd that was incited by what many deem a reckless narcissist presently residing in the White House. The attacking mob utilized chemical agents, Tasers, baseball bats, sharpened flagpoles, and firearms,” he stated.
He referenced Matthew Graves, the former U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, who characterized January 6 as potentially the largest single-day assault on law enforcement in U.S. history, with over 140 officers sustaining injuries. Sicknick noted that 172 individuals were charged with assaulting police with lethal or dangerous weapons, including the individual responsible for attacking his brother.
Ken Sicknick criticized Trump’s clemency initiative, which dismissed charges against those convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers during the riots. “The individuals who stormed the Capitol and harmed law enforcement were not victims of persecution; they faced prosecution. The current administration appears intent on revising the narrative surrounding that day,” he asserted. “There seems to be a coordinated effort to silence dissent—be it from the media or political figures—who dare to hold the former president accountable for his role in the January 6 events.” He accused Trump of threatening both politicians and media outlets that contradicted his perspective.
Trump has previously labeled the detained individuals as “hostages” and finalized the clemency orders shortly after assuming office.
Ken Sicknick vowed to persist in advocating for the legacy of his brother and the law enforcement community. “I remain committed to voicing my concerns regarding the injustices faced by my family, my brother’s service, and his peers in law enforcement, despite my feelings of helplessness. I will ensure the events of January 6 are not permitted to fade from our collective memory,” he affirmed. “It is crucial that we remember what took place on January 6, 2021.”
The D.C. medical examiner has reported that Brian Sicknick passed away from natural causes attributed to two strokes, which were exacerbated due to the events surrounding January 6. The report noted that his defense of the Capitol played a significant role in his medical condition. Brian Sicknick’s remains are honored at the U.S. Capitol, a distinction reserved for a select few beyond congressional members and military personnel.
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