On Tuesday evening (Feb. 2), Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick’s remains were laid in honor at the Capitol Rotunda. President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Sicknick’s colleagues and more attended the ceremony to pay their respects to the slain officer, who was killed by a mob of Trump supporters during the Jan. 6 Capitol siege.
In coverage by NBC and other outlets, the Bidens could be seen holding their hands over their hearts and making cross signs near Sicknick’s urn and a folded American flag.
“This flag was flown over the United States Capitol by The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, honoring the distinguished life and service of Officer Brian D. Sicknick,” a plaque on the frame containing the flag read, along with the date of Sicknick’s death.
Members of Congress are also expected to attend Sicknick’s viewing on Wednesday morning (Feb. 3) to pay their respects. The officer’s remains will be laid to rest at the Arlington National Cemetery.
“On behalf of the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is our great privilege to pay tribute to Officer Sicknick with this lying-in-honor ceremony,” Rep. Pelosi and Sen. Schumer previously said in a statement. “May this ceremony and the knowledge that so many mourn with and pray for them be a comfort to Officer Sicknick’s family during this sad time.”
Only four other private citizens have been laid in honor: Capitol Police officers Jacob Joseph Chestnut and John Michael Gibson; Rosa Parks; and Billy Graham.
“The family of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick thanks the Congressional leadership for bestowing this historic honor on our fallen American hero,” Sicknick’s family said in a statement. “We also wish to express our appreciation to the millions of people who have offered their support and sympathies during this difficult time. Knowing our personal tragedy and loss is shared by our nation brings hope for healing.”
According to Huffington Post, Fox News only briefly covered the ceremony, while other outlets like NBC, CNN and MSNBC provided full coverage of the entire event. On Twitter, many reacted to the contrast of a conservative network not covering the memorial of a Capitol Police officer — especially with the largely Republican-backed “Blue Lives Matter” countermovement.
“Still wild how [in one] MAGA riot blue lives matter killed more cops than 1,000 Black Lives Matter protests,” one person tweeted.
“Fox is not covering the ceremony honoring Brian Sicknick because it does not support the Republican agenda, the Trump Cult, & more specifically — because Trump’s words & actions led directly to Sicknick’s death,” another wrote.
Trump’s Senate impeachment trial for inciting the riot is expected to begin next week.