The leader of the Senate Republicans was snubbed by the family of a police officer who died following the US Capitol riots on January 6, 2021.
It happened during a ceremony held for the officers who defended the Washington DC monument against supporters of Donald Trump.
The officers were honored with Congressional Gold Medals for “valiantly answering the call to defend our democracy in one of the darkest hours in the country,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell commented, “Thank you for supporting us. Thank you for saving our country. Thank you for not only being our friends, but also our heroes.”
But when the family of Brian Sicknick, who died of two strokes on January 7, passed Mr McConnell in a queue, they refused to shake his outstretched hand.
In contrast, the leader of the Senate Democrats, Chuck Schumer, received a kiss from Gladys Sicknick, the mother of the late officer.
Charles and Gladys Sicknick at the ceremony. Photo: AP
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Recognizing the hundreds of officers who were on Capitol Hill on January 6, the medals will be placed in four locations: United States Capitol Police Headquarters, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Capitol and the Smithsonian Institution.
President Joe Biden said one was placed in the Smithsonian Museum “so all visitors can understand what happened that day.”
“Many of us still carry mental, physical and emotional scars,” Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee said.
He told officers, “It was your blood, sweat and tears that marked these grounds.”
United States Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger called it “a day like no other in the history of our nation – and for us.”
He added: “It was a day defined by chaos, courage and tragic loss.”
