Donald Trump sued by Capitol police officers over January 6 violence
- Two Capitol Police officers have sued former president Donald Trump over the Capitol attack
- The officers said they suffered "physical and emotional injuries"
- "The insurrectionists were spurred on by Trump's conduct," the officers said in their lawsuit
Former US president Donald Trump has been sued by two Capitol Police officers over the January 6 attack on Capitol Hill and the violence that followed, reported AFP. Dozens of their fellow officers were injured and one was killed. Officers James Blassingame and Sidney Hemby have filed the lawsuit.
Also read: Donald Trump launches official website to connect with supporters
The officers said they suffered “physical and emotional injuries” in the riot they said was fomented by Trump, when he was in his final weeks as president and refusing to accept his election defeat.
“The insurrectionists were spurred on by Trump’s conduct over many months in getting his followers to believe his false allegation that he was about to be forced out of the White House because of massive election fraud,” they said in the suit filed in federal court in Washington.
“The insurrectionist mob, which Trump had inflamed, encouraged, incited, directed, and aided and abetted, forced its way over and past the plaintiffs and their fellow officers, pursuing and attacking them,” they said in the lawsuit filed, reported AFP.
Blassingame, a 17-year veteran of the Capitol police force, said he incurred injuries to his head and back and suffers emotionally from the event.
The African-American officer said he was subjected to racist attacks during the assault on Congress from the Trump supporters.
Also read: Without Donald Trump, political disinformation dips — for now
Hemby, an 11-year officer, has hand and knee injuries after being crushed against Capitol building doors, and was sprayed in his face and on his body by chemical sprays in the attack.
“Officer Hemby normally has a calm demeanor but has struggled to manage the emotional fallout from being relentlessly attacked,” the suit says.
The lawsuit compiles numerous instances in which it says Trump encouraged the insurrection.
It accuses Trump of directing and abetting assault and battery and emotional distress, incitement to riot, and violating public safety statutes.
Also read: Donald Trump attacks Fauci and Birx after their criticism of his handling of COVID-19
The officers asked the court for compensatory damages of a minimum of $75,000 each and an unstated amount in punitive damages.
Related Articles
ADVERTISEMENT