Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio apologized on Wednesday afternoon for referring to the attack that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 as a “dust-up.” In a statement released on social media, Del Rio stated that “[r]eferencing that situation as a dust-up was irresponsible and negligent and I am sorry.”
— Jack Del Rio (@coachdelrio) June 8, 2022
Earlier this week, Del Rio drew criticism when attempted to draw comparisons between the nationwide protests during the summer of 2020 after the death of George Floyd while in police custody, and the events of January 6th:
Would love to understand “the whole story “ about why the summer of riots, looting, burning and the destruction of personal property is never discussed but this is ???#CommonSense
— Jack Del Rio (@coachdelrio) June 7, 2022
Del Rio was asked about that tweet during a session with the media on Wednesday, when he referred to the situation on January 6th as a “dust-up.” That prompted swift criticism from social media. As outlined by our own Doug Farrar, the events of January 6th caused a number of Americans to lose their lives, and has resulted in numerous criminal investigations, charges and prosecutions:
At least seven people died as a result of the riots, according to a bipartisan Senate report. Four were rioters. Officer Brian D. Sicknick of the Capitol Police was assaulted by the mob. Officers Jeffery Smith and Howard S. Liebengood died by suicide shortly after the attacks.
Per the Department of Justice:
- More than 225 defendants have been charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employees, including over 75 individuals who have been charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer.
- Approximately 140 police officers were assaulted Jan. 6 at the Capitol including about 80 U.S. Capitol Police and about 60 from the Metropolitan Police Department.
- Approximately 10 individuals have been arrested on a series of charges that relate to assaulting a member of the media, or destroying their equipment, on Jan. 6.
- Approximately 640 defendants have been charged with entering or remaining in a restricted federal building or grounds.
- Over 75 defendants have been charged with entering a restricted area with a dangerous or deadly weapon.
- More than 45 defendants have been charged with destruction of government property, and over 30 defendants have been charged with theft of government property.
- At least 275 defendants have been charged with corruptly obstructing, influencing, or impeding an official proceeding, or attempting to do so.
- Approximately 40 defendants have been charged with conspiracy, either: (a) conspiracy to obstruct a congressional proceeding, (b) conspiracy to obstruct law enforcement during a civil disorder, (c) conspiracy to injure an officer, or (d) some combination of the three.
Del Rio is certainly entitled to his opinions, and others are entitled to highlight for him just what happened on January 6th.
