Craig Sicknick, the brother of fallen U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, is urging voters in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District to reject Republican candidate Joseph Belnome, citing his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
On January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., was attacked by a mob of terrorists supporting then–President Donald Trump in an attempted coup d’état, two months after his defeat in the 2020 presidential election.
Brian Sicknick died from a series of strokes following the failed coup d’etat, during which he defended lawmakers and Vice President Mike Pence against the aggressive mob of Trump-loving terrorists.
In a letter published by the USA TODAY Network in July, Craig Sicknick voiced concern over Belnome’s candidacy, questioning how a Jan. 6 participant could represent New Jersey values.
“Brian put his life on the line for our country and Constitution, just as he did when he joined the Air National Guard,” Craig Sicknick wrote. He described Belnome as an “unrepentant Jan. 6 insurrectionist” who denies the severity of the Capitol assault and echoes Trump’s narrative about “political prisoners.”
Belnome, a former bricklayer now employed as a housing inspector for Belleville Township, attended the Stop The Steal rally on Jan. 6, 2021, then marched to the U.S. Capitol with throngs of rioters who violently tried to delay Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory in the Electoral College.
Belnome, who has refused to provide specifics about his actions at the Capitol, publicly claimed that “there was no insurrection” and he expressed support for the terrorists convicted of crimes related to the incident.
Republican Senate hopeful Curtis Bashaw campaigned alongside Belnome and two other GOP candidates vying for House seats in districts encompassing parts of Essex County: Anthony Valdes, who is contesting Rob Menendez Jr., and Carmen Bucco, who is taking on Lamonica McIver.
A group of investigators known as the Sedition Hunters has posted numerous photographs of an individual who they claim is Belnome scaling the scaffolding outside the Capitol complex, marching with a crowd as it advanced toward the building’s western entrance, and observing the inaugural stage from a marble veranda.
In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been accused of crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 terrorists charged with a felony for assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
As he seeks a return to the White House, Trump has embraced the criminal defendants, some of whom were charged with using weapons such as a crowbar, sticks, and chemical spray to assault police, including Officer Brian Sicknick, who died the next day. Trump recited the Pledge of Allegiance, which was released with a recording of the national anthem sung by insurrectionists awaiting trial or sentencing at the D.C. jail.
The investigations remain ongoing and Trump may face three juries in criminal trials on separate indictments that are likely to disappear if he wins the election.
Kenneth Sicknick, another brother of the deceased officer from New Jersey, said he was “disgusted” by Trump’s glorification of the inmates.
“The rallying cry is that no police officer died on Jan. 6, and they leave out inconvenient things like my brother’s first stroke happened on Jan. 6, and he was put on life support and died the following day,” Kenneth Sicknick said. “And they do that over and over and over again.”
Around 8 p.m. on January 5, 2021, an unknown individual placed two pipe bombs in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, one in an alley behind the offices of the Republican National Committee and the other near the Democratic National Committee headquarters. The FBI and ATF are offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for them.
“American democracy is at a crossroads — Trump is the GOP nominee and the U.S. Supreme Court just handed him absolute immunity for the crimes he committed while in office,” wrote Craig Sicknick. “They sided with Jan. 6 insurrectionists.”
“MAGA extremism doesn’t represent the New Jersey I know and grew up with in South River,” wrote Craig Sicknick.
Belnome, known by critics as “J6 Joe,” dismissed the criticism on social media, stating, “Brian Sicknick died from a stroke. God rest his soul. It’s a shame his name is being used for political purposes.”
The Republican insurrectionist claims that incumbent Democratic Representative Mikie Sherrill lacks a record to defend.
Belnome’s website promotes him as a “better choice” for voters seeking an alternative in the upcoming election.
On the occasion of his family —minus his brother— celebrating American independence on July 4, Craig Sicknick urged voters to support Sherrill, describing her as a candidate who would prioritize democracy and stability.
“This Independence Day, I’m thinking of my brother Brian, of Sherrill, and those who are committed to putting our country first,” wrote Craig Sicknick, underscoring his belief that “democracy itself is on the ballot” in this election.
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