Jan. 6 The official’s family rejected GOP leaders’ handshakes at the ceremony

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Family members of the deceased police officer January 62021, refused to shake hands with Republican leaders at a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for law enforcement in an attack on the US capital.

US Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Signik’s mother, Gladys Signik, said GOP leaders’ commitment to promoting Donald Trump’s false narrative about the insurgency that led to her son’s death took priority over helping the roughly 140 law enforcement officers injured during the attack. .

District Chief Medical Examiner Signik said Nature killedA day after he suffered two strokes while confronting members of a violent mob trying to subvert the 2020 presidential election. Election.

“They’re two-faced,” he told CNN in an interview Tuesday following the awards ceremony. “I’m tired of them standing there and saying how wonderful the Capitol Police are, and then they go back to Mar-a-Lago and kiss his ring.”

“It hurts,” Chiknik added.

Republicans and Democrats gathered Tuesday to present Congressional Gold Medals, Congress’ highest honor, to all law enforcement officers who protect lawmakers while protecting the Capitol. January 6 attackincluding members of the US Capitol Police and DC Police.

About 140 members of law enforcement were injured when rioters attacked with flagpoles, baseball bats, stun guns, bear spray and pepper spray. In dramatic comments, DC Police Chief Robert J. Conde III said Tuesday’s event was the first time many officials had returned to the Capitol complex since the uprising.

“Many of us still bear physical, mental and emotional scars after thousands of mobs launched violent attacks in an attempt to stop the counting of election votes,” Conte said. “The sound of metal poles and other objects hitting bodies, helmets and shields can be even louder, and the air is still thick with spray and other chemicals, making it difficult for our officers to see and breathe.”

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After family members received their medals, they shook hands with Democratic leaders — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (NY). Gladys Signik gets a kiss from Schumer. Family members ignored an outstretched hand from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and bypassed House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

A spokesman for McCarthy had no immediate comment. Asked about the incident Tuesday afternoon, McConnell focused on the officials and the awards.

“I will say today that on January 6 we awarded the gold medal to the heroes,” he told reporters. “We respect and appreciate them. They put their lives on the line and that’s why we presented the gold medal to the heroes today on January 6.

Jan. On June 6, 2021, a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol to prevent Congress from counting the electoral votes that would confirm Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election.

In the immediate aftermath, McConnell and McCarthy condemned the attack and blamed Trump. But a few weeks later, McCarthy refused to vote to impeach Trump on charges of incitement, and McConnell voted to acquit Trump after a Senate hearing.

McCarthy later traveled to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump.

The Cygnic family lobby Congress should set up an independent commission to investigate the attack. McCarthy opposed the creation of the committee, and in the Senate, all Republicans united in opposition. Although McCarthy refused to cooperate, Pelosi and Democrats formed a bipartisan committee to investigate.

After the ceremony, the late official’s brother, Ken Signik, said his refusal to shake hands with Republican leaders was “self-explanatory” given their respect for Trump.

“Whatever grip Trump had on them, they backed off, they danced,” he told CBS. “They won’t admit Trump’s, rioters’ mistakes.”

Last week, Trump expressed solidarity The Patriotic Freedom Project, a group that supports the families of those prosecuted by the government for the mob attack on the Capitol, sent out a video supporting the fundraiser Thursday night.

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“It’s disgusting,” Signik said of Rep. Louie Gommert (R-Tex.), who flew a flag over the Capitol for Simone Gould, a rioter, after he was released from prison. “It takes away from the heroism my brother showed.”

January. 6 Ken Signic praised Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) for her work on the committee investigating the attack, but criticized Republicans for refusing to examine how the attack happened and Trump’s role.

“Unlike Liz Cheney, they don’t know what integrity is,” he said, explaining why GOP lawmakers don’t deserve a handshake. “They cannot stand what is right and what is wrong.”

“With them, it’s party first,” Chiknik added.

McCarthy has indicated When Republicans take over the majority next month, they will hear the committee’s work on Jan. 6.

On Tuesday, he praised law enforcement across the country for their “essential brotherhood.”

“Wearing a badge means putting yourself in harm’s way to protect others and keep the country safe,” McCarthy said. “These brave men and women were heroes, heroes who kept many from harm that day. Heroes who symbolically live to protect and serve. Knights doing noble work. Many people take it for granted.

McConnell praised law enforcement officials for sacrificing their lives to help lawmakers fulfill their commitment to certify the election that declared Biden president.

“Because of your bravery and professionalism, the Congress completed our work that night,” he said. “We were able to honor ours because you honored your pledges to uphold and defend the Constitution. This fact was made clear 23 months ago. But that’s true every day.

“Thanks for having our backs,” McConnell added. “Thank you for saving our country. Thank you for being not just our friends, but our heroes. “

In a separate incident, former DC officer Michael Fanon, who was seriously injured on Jan. 6 and is an outspoken and recognizable advocate for the police who guard the Capitol, said members of his own force mocked and mocked him during the ceremony.

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As the guests were seated before the ceremony began, when he went to a bathroom, a member of the department’s special operations unit held his hands in a plate shape and told him in a sarcastic tone: “There he is, The. Great American Hero. Thank you for giving us your presence. ” Fanone said he turned and saw him with a slanderous mouth.

Fanon said he walked away, but then returned to confront the officer, who he said was part of a team from the Civil Disturbance Unit. Fanon said he told the officer, “Not on this day, of all days, if you want to talk about it, we can go out.” He said other members of the unit joked that he was “not a cop anymore” and called him a “disgrace”.

Fanon said a sergeant then interrupted and warned him not to “talk to his guards like that.”

Fanon said he left after the other officers separated the group.

After the ceremony, Fanon said, Conte gave him his gold medal. “I respect the hell out of that person,” Fanon said of the leader, who “made my day.”

Fanon speaks openly days after the rebellion, in which he was seriously injured after being dragged into a mob, beaten unconscious, and threatened with death. But his outspokenness with the media and others has earned him a reputation within his own industry, almost shunned by those who dislike the publicity he likes and receives, and by others who say they support Trump.

Dustin Sternbeck, chief spokesman for the DC Police Department, said the event was “a tremendous honor for the Metropolitan Police Department.” He added: “We are not focused on any individual. Jan. 6, 2021 We focus on the contributions of the entire sector that saved democracy.

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