Thread by @AliVelshi

1/11
The American Civil War claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history, accounting for more American military deaths than World War 1, World War 2, the Korean War and the War in Afghanistan combined. #velshi

2/11
An estimated 620,000 soldiers were killed, requiring the creation of national cemeteries for the first time. By July 1862, just two years after the start of the Civil War, 14 National Cemeteries - Arlington among them - had been established. #velshi

3/11
They later became burial places for all U.S. servicemembers. Every year we celebrate Memorial Day in honor of the men and women who have died fighting for this country. United States Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. #velshi

4/11
He served in the New Jersey Air National Guard before putting on a different uniform to defend our Nation’s Capitol. Officer Sicknick did not die while fighting enemies overseas. #velshi

5/11
He died on U.S. soil, after being attacked by a mob of Trump supporting insurrectionists - motivated by the Big Lie - who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6th. There are still many questions surrounding the circumstances of Officer Sicknick’s death and the insurrection. #velshi

6/11
And, because 35 United States Senators voted against a commission to investigate those questions, it’s now possible that we may never get them answered. #velshi

7/11
These are those Senators. Take a good look at their faces. Members of the Capitol Police Force were beaten, stabbed, dragged, insulted, spat on, and killed on January 6th while protecting these 35 Senators, and everyone else who was on Capitol Hill that day. #velshi

8/11
I wonder if, as these 35 Republican Senators walk those halls where blood was spilled, they are able to look those officers in the eyes, knowing that they refused to do the absolute bare minimum for the brave patriots who saved their lives. #velshi

9/11
Law enforcement officers and members of our military take an oath when they enter into service of this country. #velshi

10/11
Senators also take an oath to: “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic” and to “faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which they are about to enter.” #velshi

11/11
This Memorial Day, take a moment to remember the millions of veterans, alive and dead, who followed their oath to care for our country. And try to square that with the fact that 35 Republican United States Senators were too cowardly to do the same. #velshi