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Now Cometh the Sicknick Lawsuit Against Trump

Now Cometh the Sicknick Lawsuit Against Trump

Frankly, I am sick of writing about Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick – but the White House and the Sicknick family keep the controversy over his death in the fore of partisan political debate.  It is unfortunate that two things are possible and necessary – sincere sympathy and empathy for the sad loss at too early an age and a different sadness for the crass effort to dishonestly politically spin the facts of his death to fit the Democrat’s hyperbolic January 6th narrative. 

Essentially, President Biden, Democrats, and the left-leaning media have misrepresented Sicknick’s death as part of their politically motivated insurrection/coup attempt narrative.  We need to understand the FACTS.

  1. Office Sicknick was on the scene when demonstrators moved to breach the Capitol Building.
  2. He was involved in some physical confrontations.
  3. He suffered no apparent injuries at the time – and did not complain of any.
  4. Medical examiner reported no blunt trauma, no bruises or other physical injuries.
  5. Sicknick died suddenly a day a day after the riot, on January 7th.
  6. The Medical Examiner reported that Sicknick died from a “natural cause” (a stroke) that was “not hastened by any injuries.”

Those are hard facts.  It is not unheard of for a young person to die suddenly from some undiagnosed physical issue – usually a stroke or heart attack.  That was what happened to Sicknick.

Despite the facts, Biden and the Sicknick family have engaged in a cooperative public relations campaign to tie Sicknick’s death to the rioting on Capitol Hill as the cause.

The Sicknick Lawsuit

In the latest chapter, the Sicknick estate (family and longtime partner, Sandra Garza) have filed a wrongful death suit against President Trump – and two men who were charged with assaulting Sicknick at the scene.  In the court filing, the “estate” charged that “The horrific events of January 6, 2021, including Officer Sicknick’s tragic, wrongful death, were a direct and foreseeable consequence of the Defendants’ unlawful actions.”  They are asking for $10 million dollars from Trump.

So now, in addition to participating in a fraudulent political narrative, the family is attempting to profit off their mendacious claims.

The Sicknick, Liebengood and Jeffreys Medals

Coincidental with the announcement of the lawsuit, Sicknick’s mother and father were at the White House for the posthumous presentation of the Presidential Citizens Medal.  It was an award ceremony that was originally designed to honor private citizens for exceptional service to the community and nation across a broad range of activities.  Biden turned it into a partisan political event to highlight his and the Democrats’ politically driven narrative of the events on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021.

Medals were posthumously presented to two other officers – Howard Liebengood and Jeffrey Smith.  Neither of these officers sustained life-threatening injuries, and both died by suicide on January 7th and 15th, respectively.  Whether even their suicides were the direct result of their service on January 6th is unestablished and speculative.  The narrator introducing each of the presentations never mentions that Sicknick, Liebengood, and Smith all died AFTER January 6th – of causes not proven to be related to their activities on that day.

There was no Medal for – and even mention of – the only person who clearly suffered a violent death at the scene – and as a result — of the rioting.  That was unarmed Ashli Babbitt, who was shot to death by a security guard. 

Television Specials

In an attempt to create a national day of remembrance for the sensationalized portrayal of the Capitol Hill riot, Democrats and the media have conspired to produce television specials to hyperbolically dramatize the events of January 6, 2021, in accordance with the Democrats’ partisan and largely fictitious political spin.  Sicknick’s death is a key element to that spin.

Summary

It is noteworthy that of all the officers who have died at the many riots in those many (Democrat controlled) cities, have never been so honored for their sacrifice.  And never have officers who may have died following those riots from natural causes or suicides been honored or even calculated into the death toll.  

What I witnessed on January 6, 2021, was a demonstration that evolved into a violent protest – a riot, if you like.  Not the worst in terms of deaths and damage – but bad enough.  It seemed no different than what I have seen and experienced in cities across the nation over many years – with one notable exception.  Instead of a bunch of poor – usually a minority – folks being at risk and victimized, this one took place at the doorstep of the power-elite.  That distinction was noted by former Republican National Chairman (turned MSNBC flunky) Michael Steele when he noted that this was different “because it was on our turf.”  

That goes a long way to explain the dramatically different responses – and the false narrative.  To hell with the poor black families burned out of their homes and businesses in hundreds of riots over the past 60 years.  No need to lock up the rioters, vandals, arsonists, looters, and murders in those cases. No. No.  No.  You attack the poor folks, and Vice President Harris will raise bail money for you.

I doubt that the Sicknick lawsuit will go anywhere.  Lawyers I spoke with think it borders on a “frivolous lawsuit” – one designed to gain publicity for the narrative more than an expectation of prevailing in a court-of-law.  To that extent, it is already successful.

As is the common plea at times of death, may Brian Sicknick rest in peace – and may Biden and his family allow him to do so.

So, there ‘tis.

About The Author

Larry Horist

So, there ‘tis… The opinions, perspectives and analyses of businessman, conservative writer and political strategist Larry Horist. Larry has an extensive background in economics and public policy. For more than 40 years, he ran his own Chicago based consulting firm. His clients included such conservative icons as Steve Forbes and Milton Friedman. He has served as a consultant to the Nixon White House and travelled the country as a spokesman for President Reagan’s economic reforms. Larry professional emphasis has been on civil rights and education. He was consultant to both the Chicago and the Detroit boards of education, the Educational Choice Foundation, the Chicago Teachers Academy and the Chicago Academy for the Performing Arts. Larry has testified as an expert witness before numerous legislative bodies, including the U. S. Congress, and has lectured at colleges and universities, including Harvard, Northwestern and DePaul. He served as Executive Director of the City Club of Chicago, where he led a successful two-year campaign to save the historic Chicago Theatre from the wrecking ball. Larry has been a guest on hundreds of public affairs talk shows, and hosted his own program, “Chicago In Sight,” on WIND radio. An award-winning debater, his insightful and sometimes controversial commentaries have appeared on the editorial pages of newspapers across the nation. He is praised by audiences for his style, substance and sense of humor. Larry retired from his consulting business to devote his time to writing. His books include a humorous look at collecting, “The Acrapulators’ Guide”, and a more serious history of the Democratic Party’s role in de facto institutional racism, “Who Put Blacks in That PLACE? -- The Long Sad History of the Democratic Party’s Oppression of Black Americans ... to This Day”. Larry currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

33 Comments

  1. frank stetson

    Larry, I applaud your investigative stories as the one true journalist on PBP. I just think you need to vet your work better. This example:

    “That goes a long way to explain the dramatically different responses – and the false narrative. To hell with the poor black families burned out of their homes and businesses in hundreds of riots over the past 60 years. No need to lock up the rioters, vandals, arsonists, looters, and murders in those cases. No. No. No. You attack the poor folks, and Vice President Harris will raise bail money for you.”

    Oye. Some facts:
    There is no doubt that the summer of 2020 resulted in more costly damage than any protest in our history, HOWEVER — over 17,000 protesters have been arrested, most for low-level offenses, but many on the scene of the crime, not days, weeks, and months later like all those white Republicans rioting at the Capitol. The Washington Post totals over 14,000 arrests made since May 27, 2021. The Hill reports over 17,000 arrests had been made within the first two weeks during the protests. No matter how you count, there was a fuck of a lot of arrests, many at the time of occurrence, not after. They were not just allowed to walk all over us and then walk away.

    The mostly white 1/6/2021 rioters had a much easier time because they were white, probably, and not black protestors.
    Of 7,305 protests in the Summer of Floyd, WAPO, found arrests at 5% of them. Only 3.7% of the events involved property damage or vandalism. Most of these protests were peaceful.

    AP news stated that more than 120 defendants pleaded guilty or were convicted at trial of federal crimes including rioting, arson and conspiracy. More than 70 defendants sentenced got an average of over two years incarceration. It’s just an average of about a year in jail for the white guys destroying our Capitol. Also, for the Summer of Floyd, at least 10 people received five years or more. And there were about 400 federal cases. Database is here: https://theprosecutionproject.org/summer-2020-protests/

    I just think your assumption of who is on and who got off the hook is not really accurate, and that’s before we measure the crime against the value of a strip mall versus the Capitol. The value of stopping commerce against the value of stopping the country.

    Summer of Floyd was terrible, but so was the insurrection, for very different reasons.

    • Mack ewing

      Floyd brought his death upon himself. Same goes for Travon Martin

      • Chuck

        Yes, how stupid could they be to be born black

        • Roger

          It wasn’t their blackness. It was their conduct. Martin tried to murder a citizen and Floyd had to be restrained by force. Unfortunately he caused his death

    • PATHFINDERChief

      It was a PROTEST, nothing more. It was a righteous protest of an unconstitutional certification of the fraud ridden installation of the biggest parasite of the last 50 years. The protest at the Capitol, was not a crime, as most were allowed into the damn place, that WE THE PEOPLE own, lock stock, and barrel. We own all of those government buildings. The Jan 6th committee was the biggest farce imposed on this country, in our entire history. The Capitol was not destroyed, and was minimally damaged. The biggest crime was done by the obviously untrained Capitol Police officer who MURDERED an unarmed protester, who was no threat to anybody, and he hasn’t been held accountable. He was praised for the murder by a sissified Congress Weasel

    • larry Horist

      Frank Stetson … Thanks for proving my argument about the unequal justice between Janu 6 and all those other riots. (1) By you own numbers only a small percentage of the tens of thousands of arsonists, looters, vandals, etc, at the many riots in major cities over many years. (2) You point out that there was a huge effort by law enforcement to ID and track down the rioters on Capitol Hill. That was not the case with the urban riots. (3) You talk about arrests, but we know from reports that only a very small numbered were prosecuted or convicted. Another significant difference. (4) You did not mention all the times the police and National Guard was told to stand down as rioting and looting occurred — Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle, etc. etc. You do not get confrontation with police if you do not allow police to do their duty. (5) The damage and injury was far worse in what happened on capitol Hill.

      In Portland, they took over a police station and held the public commons for weeks in a direct insurrection against government authority — with people dying inside the declared independent zone — as opposed to a few hour delay in government operations on January 6.

      I do not forgive rioters. I am all for tough enforcement. But I do not approve of enforcement that differs for political reasons. I will hold to my view that the major difference between January 6 and all those other riots was that the locations…. the damage … and the injury was against poor (mostly minorities) in many cases and was on the priviledged reserve of the power elite in the other.

      • frank stetson

        I’ll agree to number 5; the rest are allegations without substance, some boldly wrong on face value so without substantiation…..

        1) You assume tens of thousands as I posted the low number of actual violent protests as a percentage of the whole.
        2) They arrested many, many on-site in real time, you assume therefore there was no follow-up. Most certainly, for Federal Offenses that is not true, For State offenses, you assume without substantiation.
        3) Again, assumption. Yes, misdemeanors are not locked up and the key thrown away. The vast preponderance of arrests were misdemeanors like breaking curfew.
        4) You got a point here? Some difference with the insurrection? Since the 60’s, police have always created a perimeter and let the crowd tire a bit rather than confront thousands of people. The only different tween the insurrection is that no one was arrested; for the protests quite a few were on site, arrested, in real time. Not sure your point? But if police respond to a protest out of hand as you mention, there will be a far greater loss of life and property than their standard practice for over 60 years. Heck, I wrote a high school piece on that……
        5) The damage and injury was far worse than any protest in America I think.

        You seem to equate large protest, large property damage, with the forgone conclusion that a larger percentage of Floyd protestors needed to be arrested, and of those arrested a larger percentage of the guilty got let go. That’s your assumption without substantiation. I provided facts as to the overwhelming peaceful nature of MOST of these protests, and people, and of the ones where violence broke out, the ten’s of thousands arrested, thousands on trial, hundreds at the Federal level. Beyond your assumptive conclusion, you have not provided evidence that police did not do their job, that thousands got away with it. As to the police perimeter, that’s SOP in both the riots and the insurrection, and yes — the Summer of Floyd was a fuck of a lot of damage.

        • larry Horist

          Frank Stetson … you assume that I assume. And then you assume your own narrative. BUSTED

  2. Jane gibson

    The death of this officer is sad….but even sadder is that the President and his family are jumping on a political bandwagon to put out false info on his death to try and justify their stand on that day. Parents….please go home and have your time of grief and honor your son by honoring him.

  3. Henry Messer

    How can anybody take up for murder, arson and other crimes. Maybe on day someone with enough authority will make our laws equal again. They weren’t perfect, but we had peace in the streets. OK the Jan. 6th riot was bad, but not as bad as the riots in the streets during the summer. These riots are the beginning of today’s looting in our major cities.

    • Frank stetson

      See above on how many arrested and convicted in the summer of floyd.

      • PathfinderChief

        Your stats are BS, and probably from the government!

        • frank stetson

          PFC: got proof?
          BUSTED

  4. Amricafirst

    Now that it is coming out that it definitely was Nancy Pelosi that was responsible for the so called insurrection, we the people are sick to death of the damned Democrats irresponsible, corrupt and traitorous ways which by the way, means that many Republicans were in on it I want the readers to know I think Sicknick’s family’s lawsuit is ignorant and also irresponsible. I would love to sue that family for the pain and suffering they are causing our beloved President, Donald J Trump and to the people that know, love and trust Trump. After that lawsuit is said and done, the truth comes out about Pelosi, that lawsuit may be challenged, not just by Trump, but by millions of us. The family may have to repay all the monies they receive from Trump if Trump is convicted of that lawsuit. I am sorry they lost one of their loved ones, but it IS a two way street. Justice must rule, not the corruption and the money that the Sicknick’s want just so they become rich. That is the truth of the matter. I feel sorry for them but I do NOT pity them for anything. We all should sue them back for all of this as they are not willing to listen to reason.

    • Feank stetson

      Pelosi’s fault? Oh my, where’s the source of that fabrication.

      Now it’s coming out that Americafirst, isn’t.

      I find it incredible folks drop a bomb like this, no support, and then just prattle on.

      PROVE IT

      • pcwalt

        The House Sergeant at Arms requested an increase in protective forces starting days before the event. His requests were not granted. Trump offered up to 20,000 National Guard troops between the Capitol building and Washington D.C. Both Bowser and Pelosi turned down the offer. In fact, not only did they not take up the offer of National Guard troops for reinforcements, but their directions for the day resulted in a *reduction* in the available force to deal with the crowds.

        • Frank stetson

          I don’t think that’s true. Does you have a source? Especially for the Trump offer.

          On 1/6, when sequestered, under attack, both Schumer and Pelosi made call for support

          For over three hours, Trump watched it all unfold on TV. The most powerful man in the world did nothing.

        • Frank stetson

          Yeah, I checked. I believe this is attributed to Santos. There is no record of Trump ever offering 20,000 National Guard to Nancy Pelosi. Nancy Pelosi cannot tell the Armed Forces to do anything. That’s the president can’t. There was mention by Trump of an additional 10,000 national guard, but it was made in passing in the recipient. Did not think I’m serious. It must’ve never got to Plosia or anyone else in the capitol

          Pelosi does not control security for the capital. Think about it, why would the house take care of the entire capital? What about the Senate?

          Pelosi does not control security for the capital and there’s no way she could cause her reduction in force. The capital police are governed by the capital police board which is made up of a number of people including some from Congress.

          These insinuations have been debunked over and over many times. With a little research on the web, you can see many valid sources explaining that these insinuations never happened. The people who made the insinuations I’ve never been able to provide support to back up their claims. Plus, in the case of Pelosi, controlling the capital police, it doesn’t even make logical sense, given the organization and the responsibilities.

          • larry Horist

            FRank Stetson … You are wrong. There are several stories indicating that the Department of Defense offered support before and at the time of the demonstration. On offer was to Capitol Hill Police and another to the Sergeant-at-arms. The offer was made twice to the latter. It is fairly assumed that he would have had to consult Pelosi before making a response. A similar offer was made to DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. She rejected the offer in writing. While the offer came from the Department of Defense, it is not clear whether Trump authorized the offer or not — but it seems strange that the DOD would make such an offer without White House approval or knowledge. The legitimate question surrounding all this is why it was investigative maleficence for the Select Committee not to investigated and called Pelosi, etc., as witnesses. You will recall that Chairman Thompson pre-emptively announced before the fist session that Pelosi would not be called. That alone was cause for head scratching, You missed a lot of information in your re=search. Here is just one example … https://apnews.com/article/capitol-police-reject-federal-help-9c39a4ddef0ab60a48828a07e4d03380

  5. Charlene

    How do we know that Officer Sicknick was not one of the unfortunate victims of the Covid 19 vaccine? A link has been discovered that stroke could be a possible side affect. Has anyone investigated this avenue of the cause of his death? I’m sure with all of Biden’s mandates, he was vaccinated.

    • Frank stetson

      Not true, they have lowered the potential risk. At least for now. There is a new idea that bivalent booster not needed for under 50 if they are double boosted.

      The death rate is now 400-500 a day, increasing risk by age. Under 50, pretty safe if diyble boosted, infected. Risk gets greater with age, bivalent booster lowers risk a lot. Over 70 at much higher risk.

      It’s a crying shame that our government and medical community can not do a better job at qualifying the risk which is like 5 times that of the seasonal flu —— still.

  6. frank stetson

    Apparently the truth, as noted by the court, says you are full of shit. The court found: “Three former Minneapolis police officers were found guilty of federal crimes for failing to intervene as another officer killed George Floyd by pressing his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes.” Enjoy the smell you racist bastard.

    Martin was acquitted vis self defense but as to Martin trying to kill him —- it was an altercation.

    • Roger

      The police officers were convicted because of race. As for Martin, slamming someone’s head in the walkway ain’t an altercation. It’s life or death. And it’s funny how the news media showed a picture of Travon at about 10 years old. There’s no racism here you ignorant fool. I happen to be a blue gum darkie. In other words a jigaboo

    • larry Horist

      Frank Stetson … You should really put the addressee in your comments. I almost thought you were responding to me … and that would have made you look stupid. But as I looked at the thread I figured out that you were directing your response to others.

      • Frankvstetson

        I really don’t think that will change your opinion of my stupidity. But duly noted, and remember, my first post did have your name in it.

  7. Robin w boyd

    Just more harassment of President Trump at taxpayers expense. Progressive Democrats will never waste an opportunity to deceive American citizens using our own tax dollars. This sort of injustice must be stopped. The DOJ has been unlawfully weaponized.

  8. frank stetson

    What you are is a racist and a liar; I really don’t care what racist names you call your racist self nor what your race is.

    However, your Lilly white name, there is 80% chance you are white and only 10% chance of being black, twice your change of being Hispanic which would be twice that of Asian.

    Why would you lie about that just to make a really stupid point on an anonymous website?

    • Roger

      Damn Frank. I’m not lying about my race. I just choose to not play the race card. I live my life and I don’t need anyone else. I know that white liberals mean good and have remorse over slavery. And that’s really sad seeing that nobody alive today had any part in it. Yes, my ancestors rode the slave ships and I’m glad of it. My life in America is much better than it probably would have been in Africa. And don’t offer me reparations. I’ll turn it down. And don’t stereotype about my name. That’s racist. I guess people like me make your skin crawl. If so, how’s your asshole smell when it passes your nose?

      • Nick

        It does no good to argue with people like Frank, he only posts to get a rise from anybody he can.

  9. Rat Wrangler

    Mr. Sicknick’s family stated that his death was “a direct and foreseeable consequence of the Defendants’ unlawful actions.” However, the defendant was not charged or convicted of any unlawful actions, and the FBI clearly stated that the incident was not an insurrection. If the family wants millions from Mr. Trump, they should be required to prove that he was responsible for the officer’s death, and they have presented no evidence of such at all. Our courts need to get back to original concepts like “innocent until proven guilty” and “evidence must be presented to prove guilt”. We have seen many cases in recent times where people were found guilty of crimes and even jailed, even though no physical evidence was found that actually tied them to the crimes.

    • frank stetson

      uh —– civil case,

      In a civil case liability must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence, not “innocent until proven guilty” and not ““evidence must be presented to prove guilt.” Just a preponderance.

  10. frank stetson

    “It is fairly assumed that he would have had to consult Pelosi before making a response.” Why Pelosi? Why fair? Why not Schumer? Why not the minority whips? Why is the speaker of one chamber responsible for the entire campus?

    The discussion was about Pelosi; you diverted to the CP and the assumption Pelosi was in the loop, before, during and after. There is no line of command and no support to your assumption.

    You conveniently avoid Trump’s complicity as commander in chief of causing and then watching the events on TV, with burgers.

    The chief of the CP resigned immediately. While I can not find confirmation of your story, it’s likely because the Trump aspect blocks the journalistic sun on this one. Plus the fact it’s all anonymous makes it harder to find. BUT — I believe the defense provided had withstood all protests since the 70’s. Certainly wonder why the 1/6 commission did not highlight this portion and hope your guys will. HOWEVER — Pelosi is not in the chain of command: PERIOD, so good luck moving beyond allegations, assumptions, and SWAGS.

    Matter of fact, I think we all want a thorough investigation of the defense covering all intelligence and policing organizations that had responsibility for that day. During 2020, there were close to a dozen armed attacks on State buildings leading up to the events of 1/6. I did not realize or remember those “training” sessions and in hindsight wonder: how the fuck could they not see these same people doing it at the Capitol? It was like a dozen attacks and even one attempted kidnapping for the gallows. Hell, they are still doing it as the AZ loser shoots up his victors all over ABQ. How did they miss these?

    https://www.propublica.org/article/sense-of-entitlement-rioters-faced-no-consequences-invading-state-capitols-no-wonder-they-turned-to-the-u-s-capitol-next

    I think you are fishing to rope Pelosi in, my original lament, but yes —- investigate what happened in the planning that went all so wrong.

    And I think you need to see the DON in the light of day. Inciting, watching, munching, tossing, —– THREE FUCKING HOURS of doing nothing to protect your Capitol. That’s not wrong, that’s deraliction of duty and for cause no less.

    • larry Horist

      Fran Stetson …. You are really off the beam these days, The Sergeant-at-Arms who reported the conversation with the Dept of Defense is the HOUSE S-A-A. He reports to Pelosi. BUSTED again.