Garland’s comments have drawn significant criticism for what some describe as “gaslighting.”
The circumstances surrounding the deaths of the five officers have been a contentious issue.
Critics note that none of the officers died directly during the Capitol riots. Instead, the fatalities occurred afterward, under differing circumstances.
Four officers — Jeffrey Smith, Howard Liebengood, Gunther Hashida, and Kyle deFreytag — died by suicide following the events of January 6.
Two, Smith and Liebengood, took their lives within days of the riots, while the other two died within six months.
The fifth officer, Brian Sicknick, passed away a day after the riots due to natural causes resulting from strokes, as determined by the D.C. medical examiner.
His death was not classified as directly linked to physical injuries sustained during the events.
By contrast, the fatalities that occurred during the Capitol riots included Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt, who was shot by Capitol Police officer Michael Byrd; two men, Kevin Greeson and Benjamin Philips, who died of natural causes related to cardiovascular issues; and Rosanne Boyland, whose death was officially attributed to an amphetamine overdose, though some witnesses suggest she may have been crushed by the crowd.
The classification of the officers’ deaths as “line of duty” deaths has sparked debate.
The U.S. Capitol Police described Sicknick’s death as such, stating, “The USCP accepts the findings from the District of Columbia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner that Officer Brian Sicknick died of natural causes.
This does not change the fact Officer Sicknick died in the line of duty, courageously defending Congress and the Capitol.”
Legislation signed by President Joe Biden in 2022, the Public Safety Officer Support Act, expanded benefits for officers’ families if their deaths were linked to traumatic events in the line of duty.
Erin Smith, widow of Jeffrey Smith, was a vocal advocate for this bill, citing her husband’s injuries during the riots as a factor in his suicide.
Critics argue that Garland’s remarks and similar statements by Democrats aim to create the impression that the officers were directly killed by Capitol rioters, an assertion that has been repeatedly refuted by official findings.
Many conservative voices have pushed back, accusing Democrats of exploiting the January 6 anniversary for political purposes and perpetuating a misleading narrative.
As the nation continues to reflect on January 6, debates over the portrayal of that day and its aftermath remain deeply polarizing, highlighting the broader tensions in American political discourse.
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