Topline
The estate of a U.S. Capitol Police officer who died one day after clashing with rioters during the January 6 storming of the Capitol filed a lawsuit Thursday against former President Donald Trump, blaming the ex-president for wrongful death, civil rights violations and other claims stemming from his supporters’ attacks on authorities.
A Capitol Police Officer pays his respects before a ceremony memorializing U.S. Capitol Police … [+]
Key Facts
Officer Brian Sicknick’s partner Sandra Garza—who was listed as a representative of Sicknick’s estate—filed the lawsuit in D.C. federal district court, naming Trump as a defendant along with two rioters who were convicted of attacking Sicknick with a chemical spray but weren’t charged with killing him—Julian Khater and George Tanios.
The lawsuit accuses Trump of inciting his supporters to violence, citing several of his tweets where he falsely claims he won the 2020 presidential election as part of the evidence.
The suit seeks at least $10 million in damages from each of the defendants.
Sicknick collapsed at the Capitol eight hours after rioters sprayed him with a chemical agent—he died the next day after being taken to a hospital.
The D.C. medical examiner determined Sicknick died of natural causes due to strokes, and no murder charges have been filed related to his death.
A spokesman for Trump denied the former president shares any blame for Sicknick’s death, saying Trump “clearly and unequivocally stated that Americans should ‘peacefully and patriotically make their voices heard.”
Crucial Quote
“Former President Donald Trump called Khater and Tanios to Washington DC to attack the Capitol and they answered. This directly caused Officer Sicknick’s death,” Matt Kaiser, an attorney for the estate, said in a statement.
Key Background
Sicknick laid in honor under the Capitol dome in February 2021 , becoming just the fourth person in history to receive one of the highest posthumous civilian honors. His family has blamed Trump for his death, with the officer’s brother saying he believes Trump deserves to be in prison for the January 6 riot. Trump’s role in the January 6 attack is the subject of a special counsel’s investigation, which is also probing whether he illegally brought classified documents to Mar-A-Lago after leaving the White House. The House January 6 committee last month recommended four criminal charges against Trump, including inciting or engaging in an insurrection. Trump has faced other civil lawsuits over the Capitol riot, including several suits from Capitol Police officers and one suit brought by Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.).
Further Reading
Officer Sicknick Died From Strokes After Capitol Riots, Medical Examiner Finds (Forbes)
Grief Under The Rotunda: Officer Sicknick, Who Died After The U.S. Capitol Riots, Lies In Honor (Forbes)
Attorney General Garland Appoints Special Counsel To Determine If Trump Faces Charges (Forbes)
January 6 Committee Recommends Four Criminal Charges Against Trump (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2023/01/05/brian-sicknicks-estate-sues-trump-over-capitol-police-officers-death/