McCarthy to meet with officer hurt in Capitol attack

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Friday is expected to meet with D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, who was hurt in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, The Associated Press reported.

Fanone is expected to be joined by Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and Gladys Sicknick, the mother of the late Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. Sicknick died a day after defending the Capitol.

McCarthy previously said publicly that he’d be willing to meet with Fanone. Last month, Fanone tried to reach out to McCarthy but said he was unsuccessful.

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) claimed that McCarthy’s office “hung up on” the officer.

According to Newsweek, Fanone said he finally spoke with McCarthy’s office on Wednesday afternoon. He told CNN, “Trying to make an appointment with Kevin McCarthy is like trying to get an appointment with God.”

Fanone, who was badly injured during the riot, has been outspoken about how he’s been affected by that day. Footage aired by CNN last month showed Fanone being attacked by rioters, at one point even pleading, “I have kids.”

Five people died as a result of the riot that saw supporters of former President Trump storm the Capitol in a bid to disrupt the certification of the Electoral College vote in the 2020 election.

Fanone, Dunn and Gladys Sicknick all lobbied GOP senators to approve House-passed legislation creating a bipartisan commission to examine the events of that day.

The bill failed in the Senate, failing to get the 60 votes needed to overcome a Senate filibuster.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced Thursday that the House will establish a special congressional commission to investigate the attack.