WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump honored fallen Florida police officers at the White House Monday, just shy of four months from the day he released from prison hundreds of domestic terrorists who assaulted police to further his coup attempt after he lost the 2020 election.
“I’ll stand by for my invitation,” said Harry Dunn, a former Capitol Police officer who was among the hundreds who were punched, kicked, hit with boards, stabbed with flag poles and attacked with bear spray on Jan. 6, 2021. “I’m glad law enforcement does get recognition. It is a hard, thankless job that the law enforcement officers do daily. I just wish the thanks didn’t have to come from a 34-time convicted felon.”
More than 140 police officers were injured by Trump’s mob. One, Brian Sicknick, died hours after being assaulted, and four others died by suicide in the weeks and months to follow. Trump did not attend the service for Sicknick in the Capitol. Nor did he reach out to his family, or to those of the others.
“Surprised it’s not a joint invitation with the criminals he pardoned since he views them in the same light,” Dunn said.
The Oval Office ceremony awarded medals to three Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies who died after being struck by a driver on a road near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago country club last year. The commemoration came two days after the end of “police week,” as Trump had proclaimed the week of May 11-17.
