Police officer's death intensifies Capitol siege questions

A police officer has died from injuries sustained as President Donald Trump's supporters stormed Capitol, a violent siege that is forcing hard questions about defeated president's remaining days in office and ability of Capitol Police to secure area.

U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement that Officer Brian D. Sicknick was injured “while physically engaging with protesters" during Wednesday riot. He is fifth person to die because of melee. ramp that has shocked world and left country on edge forced resignations of three top Capitol security officials over failure to stop breach. It led lawmakers to demand a review of operations and an FBI briefing over what y called a “terrorist attack.” And it is prompting a broader reckoning over Trump’s tenure in office and what comes next for a torn nation.

Protesters were urged by Trump during a rally near White House earlier Wednesday to head to Capitol Hill, where lawmakers were scheduled to confirm Biden’s presidential victory. mob swiftly broke through police barriers, smashed windows and paraded through halls, sending lawmakers into hiding.

Five have died because of Capitol siege. One protester, a white woman, was shot to death by Capitol Police, and re were dozens of arrests. Three or people died after “medical emergencies” related to breach. Despite Trump’s repeated claims of voter fraud, election officials and his own former attorney general have said re were problems on a scale that would change outcome. All states have certified ir results as fair and accurate, by Republican and Democratic officials alike.

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said news of police officer’s death was “gut-wrenching.” “ne of this should have happened,” Sasse said in a statement. “Lord, have mercy.” Sicknick had returned to his division office after incident and collapsed, statement said. He was taken to a local hospital where he died on Thursday.

Two House Democrats on committees overseeing Capitol police budgets said those responsible need to be held to answer for “senseless” death. "We must ensure that mob who attacked People’s House and those who instigated m are held fully accountable,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Ct., and Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio. in a statement.

Earlier Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said any remaining day with president in power could be “a horror show for America.” Likewise, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said attack on Capitol was “an insurrection against United States, incited by president," and Trump must t stay in office “one day” longer.

Pelosi and Schumer called for invoking 25th Amendment to Constitution to force Trump from office before President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated on Jan. 20. Schumer said he and Pelosi tried to call Vice President Mike Pence early Thursday to discuss that option but were unable to connect with him.

At least one Republican lawmaker joined effort. procedure allows for vice president and a majority of Cabinet to declare president unfit for office. vice president n becomes acting president. Pelosi said if president’s Cabinet does t swiftly act, House may proceed to impeach Trump. Trump, who had repeatedly refused to concede election, did so in a late Thursday video from White House vowing a “seamless transition of power.”

Two Republicans who led efforts to challenge election results, Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri, faced angry peers in Senate. Cruz defended his objection to election results as “ right thing to do” as he tried unsuccessfully to have Congress launch an investigation.nIn House, Republican leaders Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California and Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana joined in failed effort to overturn Biden’s win by objecting to Electoral College results.

With tensions high, Capitol shuttered and lawmakers t scheduled to return until inauguration, an uneasy feeling of stalemate settled over a main seat of national power as Trump remained holed up at White House. social media giant Facebook banned president from its platform and Instagram for duration of Trump's final days in office, if t indefinitely, citing his intent to stoke unrest. Twitter had silenced him day before.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said “ shocking events" make it clear Trump “intends to use his remaining time in office to undermine peaceful and lawful transition of power.” U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, under pressure from Schumer, Pelosi and or congressional leaders, was forced to resign. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell asked for and received resignation of Sergeant at Arms of Senate, Michael Stenger, effective immediately. Paul Irving, longtime Sergeant at Arms of House, also resigned.

Sund had defended his department’s response to storming of Capitol, saying officers had “acted valiantly when faced with thousands of individuals involved in violent riotous actions.” Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser called police response “a failure.” Lawmakers from both parties pledged to investigate and questioned wher a lack of preparedness allowed a mob to occupy and vandalize building. Pentagon and Justice Department had been rebuffed when y offered assistance .

Black lawmakers, in particular, ted way mostly white Trump supporters were treated. Newly elected Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., said if “we, as Black people did same things that happened ... reaction would have been different, we would have been laid out on ground.”

protesters ransacked place , taking over House area and Senate chamber and waving Trump, American and Confederate flags. Outside, y scaled walls and balconies. Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., a former police chief, said it was “painfully obvious” that Capitol police “were t prepared.” 

(Im Credits: AP)