Late Capitol Police Officer's Family Sues Trump

The estate of U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who died a day after the January 6th riot, is suing former President Donald Trump for wrongful death. 

The Details: The lawsuit claims that Trump incited his supporters to engage in violence that day. The two men who pleaded guilty to attacking and pepper spraying Sicknick were also named in the lawsuit, and are set to be sentenced on January 27.

Key Quotes: “As a direct and foreseeable consequence of Defendant Trump’s false and incendiary allegations of fraud and theft, and in direct response to Defendant Trump’s express calls for violence at the rally, a violent mob attacked the U.S. Capitol,” the lawsuit said. 

For Context: On April 19, 2021, medical examiner Dr. Francisco Diaz reported that Sicknick died of natural causes after having two strokes. He also said that Sicknick did not suffer any allergic reaction to the pepper spray, and there was no evidence of internal or external injuries, despite initial reports that he was bludgeoned with a fire extinguisher.

How the Media Covered it: The lawsuit was covered by sources across the political spectrum, with many noting that President Joe Biden will honor Sicknick posthumously on Friday with the Presidential Citizens Medal, along with 11 other medal recipients. Right-rated sources tended to focus more on the unfounded reports that the Jan. 6 rioters murdered Sicknick.