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Gladys Sicknick, Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell (from left)
Photo: Alex Brandon/AP
It was an extremely high-profile appointment at the US Capitol yesterday, Tuesday.
Top Democrats Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi were there, as were their Republican counterparts in the Senate (Mitch McConnell) and House of Representatives (Kevin McCarthy).
For the latter it was a comparatively unpleasant afternoon.
The ceremony honored individuals who had been particularly heroic during the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Brian Sicknick was also to receive the US Congress Gold Medal posthumously.
The police officer was attacked that day and died on January 7, 2021 as a result of two strokes.
In his place, the parents Charles and Gladys Sicknick accepted the award - and at the same time sent a clear signal.
On stage, they both warmly greeted Democratic Representatives Schumer and Pelosi.
Next up would have been Republicans McConnell and McCarthy.
The former stood ready with outstretched hand.
But the sicknicks went past the politicians - without shaking hands and practically without even glancing at them.
McConnell managed a rather helpless wave.
Apparently, the Sicknicks' action was to be understood as a very public rejection of the Republican position on January 6th.
Donald Trump, who incited the mob before the attack, survived an impeachment hearing over his party's votes.
The US broadcaster CNN quotes Gladys Sicknick as saying about the Republicans: »You are so double-dealing.
I've just had enough of it.
They stand there and talk about how wonderful the Capitol Police are.
And then they go to Mar-a-Lago and kiss Trump's ring.”
McCarthy, who will probably take over the leadership post for the Republicans in the House of Representatives in January, actually traveled to Florida shortly after the storming of the Capitol to demonstratively seek his closeness.
No clear demarcation from Trump
McConnell had criticized Trump immediately after January 6th.
In the meantime, however, he is avoiding too much distance, probably because he is speculating that his party will win the election in 2024 with a candidate Trump.
Also this Tuesday, when asked specifically, he refused to take a clear position against the ex-president: "I mean to say that it would be quite difficult to be sworn in as president if you were not prepared to respect the constitution." Trump had last weekend raved about suspending the US Constitution.
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