The Justice Department is continuing its work to obtain accountability following the violence at the Capitol what is now two years ago.
So, it’s worth noting, are others like Sandra Garza, the longtime girlfriend of the late Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who died very soon after participating in the defense of the Capitol against rioting Trump supporters. In her personal capacity and as a representative of the late officer’s estate, Garza this week filed a civil lawsuit against Trump and two riot participants involved in assaulting Sicknick with chemical spray, accusing the three of involvement in wrongful death and seeking millions in financial penalties. This week, Attorney General Merrick Garland also reiterated the Justice Department’s commitment after the violence.
“Since then, countless agents, investigators, prosecutors, analysts, and others across the Justice Department have participated in one of the largest, most complex, and most resource-intensive investigations in our history,” the top official said. “I am extremely grateful for the dedication, professionalism, and integrity with which they have done this work. This investigation has resulted in the arrest of more than 950 defendants for their alleged roles in the attack. We have secured convictions for a wide range of criminal conduct on January 6 as well as in the days and weeks leading up to the attack. Our work is far from over.”
Also discussing honoring the police officers who died after the riot, Garland added: “We remain committed to ensuring accountability for those criminally responsible for the January 6 assault on our democracy. And we remain committed to doing everything in our power to prevent this from ever happening again.” And there are some specific numbers available to back up that commitment, at least regarding the individual participants in the violence that day. A release from the Justice Department including remarks from Garland also notes prosecutors are still pursuing hundreds of potential defendants. “The FBI continues to seek the public’s help in identifying approximately 350 individuals believed to have committed violent acts on the Capitol grounds, including over 250 who assaulted police officers,” authorities said. As with many of those already identified, there are photos (and footage) available showing rioters prosecutors are trying to ID.
