Fox News hosts blasted for 'disgusting' and 'dangerous' ridicule of Capitol officers after fourth suicide

The founder of a military veterans group blasted Fox News hosts and others for ridiculing Capitol police who testified before Congress last week, after it was reported Monday that two more officers involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection have died by suicide.

CNN's New Day shared a statement from Michael Fanone, one of the officers who testified, in the wake of the deaths of officers Kyle DeFreytag and Gunther Hashida.

"Remember, just last week, he and three fellow officers gave emotional testimony about their harrowing experience defending the Capitol," New Day co-host John Berman said of Fanone. "It was met by ridicule and mocking from right-wing media."

The network then played clips of Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham mocking Fanone and the other witnesses, with the latter giving out fake "Best Performance" awards on her show.

Later, New Day co-host Brianna Keilar asked Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Iraq & Afghanistan Vets of America, whether such "ridicule" and the "politicization" of the Jan. 6 insurrection could exacerbate mental health issues experienced by officers.

"In my experience yes," Rieckhoff responded. "I mean, imagine a veteran coming home and being ridiculed in the same way after serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. You know, there is no silver bullet in dealing with suicide, it's a complex series of factors, but we know that hope is key and that connection is key, and these people who are ridiculing survivors of an assault and a really traumatic experience — it's not just disgusting, it's dangerous, because not only does it compound the experience they're having, it also discourages other people from coming forward. Think about another person who maybe is dealing with a trauma, and sees this kind of ridicule, and says, you know, if I come forward, maybe I'm going to get ridiculed, so we need to blow up that entire misguided, dangerous part of this discussion in America, and really focus on support, strength, and understanding mental health."

Watch below.

New Day on officer suicideswww.youtube.com

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255