Trump sued over death of Capitol police officer

Former President Donald Trump was indicted for the death of a Capitol Police officer involved in the January 6, 2021 riots. The victim's relatives, who claim that the Republican leader allegedly incited the assailants to act, are suing for more than $10,000,000 in compensation.

The civil suit, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, brings to the scene the case of Brian Sicknic, who was sprayed in the face with a chemical gas while trying to stop rioters from taking over the Capitol. His heirs, led by his girlfriend Sandra Garza, claim that Trump directly instigated the riots that cost the officer his life.

The inconsistencies in the case

Despite the accusation, the medical examiner in charge of his case did not establish a direct connection between the gas injuries and his death one day after the riots, on January 7, 2021. The final medical report said he died of "natural causes."

The first name mentioned in the lawsuit is Trump, despite the fact that the two men who assaulted Sicknic, Julian Elie Khater and George Pierre Tanios, have already pleaded guilty to crimes related to the riots around the Capitol. They are currently awaiting sentencing.

The claim and the request for compensation

"The peaceful transfer of power is a sacrament of American democracy. Defendant Donald Trump, together with other co-conspirators, defiled that orderly transition through a campaign of lies and incendiary rhetoric which led to the ransacking of the United States Capitol," the lawsuit begins. It adds, "Defendant Trump implored the crowd to 'fight like hell' and 'walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol.'"

The police officer's relatives are suing for compensation for Sicknic's death. They are seeking at least $10,000,000. His girlfriend, Sandra Garza, is listed in the lawsuit as his "personal representative."