US Capitol Police said in a statement that officer Brian D. Sicknick, 42, was injured “while physically engaging with protesters” during Wednesday’s riot. He is the fifth person to die from melee.
Officer Sicknick’s brother released the following statement to ABC News:
“After a day of fighting for his life, he passed away as a hero. I would like to thank all his brothers and sisters in law enforcement for the incredible compassion and support they have shown to my family. My family and I hope that our privacy can be respected while we suffer. Thank you. “
The violence that shocked the world and left the country on the edge forced the resignation of three top Capitol security officials because of their failure to prevent the breach. This prompted lawmakers to demand a review of operations and an FBI briefing on what they called a “terrorist attack”. And it is leading to a broader assessment of Trump’s tenure in office and what comes next for a torn nation.
WATCH: complete coverage of chaos in the Capitol
Protesters were urged by Trump during a rally near the White House the previous Wednesday to go to the Capitol, where lawmakers were expected to confirm Biden’s presidential victory. The crowd quickly broke through police barriers, smashed windows and paraded through the corridors, causing lawmakers to hide.
One protester, a white woman, was shot dead by the Capitol Police, and there were dozens of arrests. Three other people died after “medical emergencies” related to the rape.
January 6, 2021 pictures
Despite Trump’s repeated allegations of electoral fraud, election officials and his own former attorney general said there were no problems on a scale that would change the outcome. All states have certified their results as fair and accurate, both by Republican and Democratic officials.
Senator Ben Sasse, R-Neb., Said the news of the policeman’s death was “distressing”.
“None of this should have happened,” said Sasse in a statement. “Lord have mercy.”
Sicknick returned to his division’s office after the incident and passed out, the statement said. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died on Thursday.
Two House Democrats on committees that oversee Capitol police budgets said those responsible must be detained to answer for the “meaningless” death.
“We must ensure that the crowd that attacked the House of the People and those that instigated them are fully accountable,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Ct., And Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio. in a statement.
On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that any remaining days with the president in power could be “a horror show for America”. Likewise, Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said the attack on the Capitol was “an insurrection against the United States, incited by the president”, and Trump should not remain in office “one more day”.
WATCH: Mayor Nancy Pelosi asks the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment
Pelosi and Schumer called for the 25th Amendment to the Constitution to be brought out of office before President-elect Joe Biden took office on January 20. Schumer said he and Pelosi tried to call Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday to discuss that option, but were unable to connect with him.
WATCH: Vice President Pence addresses the Congress while the Electoral College certification is resumed
At least one Republican legislator joined the effort. The procedure allows the vice president and the majority of the Cabinet to declare the president unfit for the position. The vice-president then becomes interim president.
Pelosi said that if the president’s office does not act quickly, the House can proceed with Trump’s impeachment.
Trump, who repeatedly refused to grant the election, did so in a video on Thursday at the White House promising a “seamless power transition”.
Two Republicans who led efforts to challenge the election results, Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri, faced angry colleagues in the Senate. Cruz defended his objection to the election results as “the right thing to do” when he tried unsuccessfully for Congress to launch an investigation. In the House, Republican leaders, Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California and Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana joined the failed effort to nullify Biden’s victory, challenging the results of the Electoral College.
WATCH: Joe Biden calls the Capitol mob to ‘retreat’, urges the restoration of decency
With high tensions, the Capitol closed and legislators unscheduled to return until the inauguration, an uncomfortable sense of stalemate settled over a main seat of national power while Trump remained hidden in the White House.
Social media giant Facebook banned the president from his platform and Instagram during Trump’s last days in office, if not indefinitely, citing his intention to cause unrest. Twitter silenced him the day before.
SEE ALSO: Twitter blocks Trump account after removing tweets about DC protesters
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said that “the shocking events” make it clear that Trump “intends to use his remaining time in office to undermine the peaceful and legal power transition”.
United States Capitol Chief of Police Steven Sund, under pressure from Schumer, Pelosi and other Congressional leaders, was forced to resign. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell requested and received the resignation of Senate Arms Sergeant Michael Stenger with immediate effect. Paul Irving, the former House weapons sergeant, also resigned.
WATCH: Mitch McConnell interrupts Trump in a violent speech
Sund defended his department’s response to the Capitol invasion, saying officials “acted valiantly when confronted with thousands of individuals involved in violent and tumultuous actions.”
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser called the police response “a failure”.
WATCH: Lawmakers huddle together while officers face the crowd
Lawmakers from both parties pledged to investigate and questioned whether the lack of preparation allowed a crowd to occupy and vandalize the building. The Pentagon and the Justice Department were rejected when they offered help.
Black lawmakers, in particular, noted the way that Trump’s mostly white supporters were treated.
Newly elected deputy Cori Bush, D-Mo., Said that if “we, as blacks, did the same things that happened … the reaction would have been different, we would have been put on the ground.”
WATCH: Political Analyst Discusses Day of Chaos
Protesters scoured the site, occupying the House and Senate Chamber areas and waving Trump, United States and Confederate flags. Outside, they climbed the walls and balconies.
Dep. Val Demings, D-Fla., A former police chief, said it was “painfully obvious” that the Capitol police “were not prepared”.
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Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Zeke Miller, Alan Fram, Padmananda Rama and Michael Balsamo in Washington contributed to this report.
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