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Brian Sicknick funeral: Why didn't Fox News broadcast it? Channel dubbed ‘anti-American’ for ignoring Capitol cop

'Their producers & execs have agreed: these are bad optics which might alienate their core audience,' said one angry user

Police Officer Brian Sicknick who lost his life on January 6, 2021, while defending the US Capitol building against rioters was honored on Tuesday, February 2, 2021. With his remains lying in the building's famous Rotunda, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrived at the Capitol to pay their respects to the fallen soldier. Most news channels broadcasted the event and paid a tribute to him. However, netizens lost their cool when they noticed Fox News was not airing the event on live TV.

Sicknick, 42, was a 12-year veteran of the force and he died on January 7 after being injured the day before while “physically engaging with protesters” during the insurrection at the Capitol, according to Capitol Police. Three sources close to the department told WUSA9 that Sicknick was struck in the head with a fire extinguisher. 

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The day after Sicknick’s death, a $100,000 reward was announced by North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) for the arrests of the suspects involved. The reward is valid until March 1, and anyone with information can submit a confidential tip to reward@nabtu.org, the report added.

Why didn't Fox News broadcast the funeral?

After the ceremonial arrival for Sicknick on Tuesday, a viewing period will be held overnight for members of the US Capitol Police and another viewing period for members of Congress will begin Wednesday, February 3, 2021, morning, followed by a tribute from lawmakers and a ceremonial departure for Arlington National Cemetery, where Sicknick will be interred, the Associated Press reported.

In no time, Twitter was buzzing with reactions on how Fox News had completely ignored the event — even as MSNBC and CNN telecasted it. “CNN and MSNBC are covering the tribute to a Capitol Police officer who was murdered in the line of duty and who lies in honor at the Capitol tonight, but Fox News is busy sneering at Fauci,” a tweet from historian Kevin M Kruse read. 

But, did Fox News cover the funeral at all? Well, not many people knew that the news channel, however, did broadcast it live on Facebook. Catch the recording that was captioned “Officer Brian Sicknick lies in honor at US Capitol” here:

Honoring the heroism of Officer Sicknick

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, had released a joint statement on Friday announcing plans to honor Sicknick at the US Capitol. “The heroism of Officer Sicknick and the Capitol Police force during the violent insurrection against our Capitol helped save lives, defend the temple of our democracy and ensure that the Congress was not diverted from our duty to the Constitution,” their statement said. “His sacrifice reminds us every day of our obligation to our country and to the people we serve.”

It continued, “On behalf of the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is our great privilege to pay tribute to Officer Sicknick with this lying-in-honor ceremony. May this ceremony and the knowledge that so many mourn with and pray for them be a comfort to Officer Sicknick’s family during this sad time.”

‘Our nation brings hope for healing’

In a statement, Sicknick's family issued a statement through the US Capitol Police.

Thanking Congress, it read, “The family of US Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick thanks the congressional leadership for bestowing this historic honor on our fallen American hero,” the statement said. “We also wish to express our appreciation to the millions of people who have offered their support and sympathies during this difficult time. Knowing our personal tragedy and loss is shared by our nation brings hope for healing.”

Back on January 14, 2021, The New Jersey Devils honored the Capitol police officer — who was a New Jersey native — before the game between the New Jersey Devils and the Boston Bruins during the home opening game at Prudential Center.

‘Fox News doesn’t care about cops’

Twitter was fuming over no coverage from Fox News about an event of national importance on their television channel. One user said, “Fox News didn’t cover the memorial of Officer Sicknick—the Capitol police officer beaten to death Jan 6 by a mob of fascist insurrectionists who attacked the Capitol building. Fox News doesn’t care about cops. They only care about their own wild-eyed conspiracist narrative.”

Another user tweeted, “CNN and MSNBC are covering live the ceremony in honor of police officer #Sicknick for last hour. Fox is not. Striking contrast.” A netizen criticized the channel for airing a program on Black Lives Matter (BLM) at the time of Sicknick's honoring ceremony. "Fox News isn't covering the ceremony for Officer Sicknick. Aren't they the Blue Lives Matter people? I guess they were talking about Smurfs.”

One user said, “Their producers & execs have agreed: these are “bad optics” which might alienate their core audience. Or at the very least, give their viewers too much to contemplate.”

Criticizing the entire channel, another said, “I am SICKENED to my core by the fact that Fox News is not covering the ceremony for fallen Officer Sicknick. What a shameful, anti-American network!”

American historian Michael Beschloss noted the absence of former vice president Mike Pence at the event. “Sorry, no appearance tonight by Pence, whose life Officer Sicknick helped to save. Pence is reportedly enjoying vacation in Virgin Islands with Mrs Pence before announcing his new fundraising committee, intended to help him “stay close” to his donors,” Beschloss, who specializes in US presidential history, tweeted.

Catch the procession here: