Capitol police officers sued Trump: what are they demanding

US Capitol officers, attacked and beaten during riots in the Congress building, filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, his allies and members of extreme right-wing extremist groups. They accuse them of deliberately inciting violence on 6 January. Writes about it AP News.

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The lawsuit in a federal court in Washington alleges that Trump "collaborated with white supremacists, violent extremist groups and campaigners to violate the Ku Klux Klan Act and commit acts of domestic terrorism in an illegal attempt to stay in power."

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of seven officers by the Lawyers' Committee on Civil Rights in accordance with the law. It mentions the president, the Trump campaign, Trump ally Roger Stone, and members of the extremist groups Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, who were present at the Capitol and Washington on January 6.

Two other cases have been filed in recent months by Democratic members of Congress. The lawsuits allege that the actions of Trump and his allies led to a violent siege of the Capitol, which injured dozens of police officers, suspended the certification of U.S. President Joe Biden's election victory, and forced lawmakers to flee to save their lives, while rioters broke into the Congress building.

The Pay of Representatives Committee began in earnest to investigate what happened that day, sending out requests for documents from intelligence, law enforcement, and other government agencies. Their biggest request so far has been to the National Archives for information on Trump and his team.

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Trump has accused the committee of violating "well-established legal principles of privilege," but his team has not yet commented on the lawsuit.

“Executive privilege will be defended not only on behalf of my administration and the patriots who have served alongside me, but also on behalf of the Office of the President of the United States and the future of our nation,” Trump said.

The Capitol police officer who shot the unarmed protester explained that he had no choice but to shoot.

“I tried to wait as long as I could,” Lt. Michael Byrd said. “I hoped and prayed that no one would try to come through those doors.” But it required me to take appropriate action to save the lives of members of Congress, myself and my fellow officers.”

He was cleared of charges of involvement in the murder of 35-year-old Ashley Babbitt. Authorities did not release his name for security reasons. Byrd said they were trapped barricaded inside with lawmakers he had vowed to protect. The lieutenant heard an approaching crowd and his anxiety intensified. At first, the officer shouted repeatedly for the rioters to turn around.

“I know I saved countless lives that day,” Byrd said. “I know that members of Congress, as well as my colleagues and employees, were in danger, and very serious. And that's my job."

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At least 140 officers were injured that day. The lawsuit includes several individuals facing federal riot-related charges. They are said to have "conspired to use force, intimidation and threats to prevent Joe Biden and Kamala Harris from taking office, to prevent Congress from counting electoral votes, and to prevent the Capitol police from performing their legal duties."

The documents contain graphic evidence of injuries sustained by officers while trying to fight off crowds as rioters broke through the ranks of the security forces and broke into the Capitol.

“We join the Capitol Police to uphold the law and protect the Capitol community,” the group of officers said in a statement released by their lawyers. “On January 6, we tried to stop people from breaking the law and destroying our democracy. Since then, our work and the work of our colleagues have become much more dangerous. "We want to do everything we can to make sure that the people who did this are held accountable and that no one can do this again."

The documents requested by a House committee are just the beginning of a lengthy congressional investigation into how protesters were able to infiltrate the Capitol and obstruct Democrat Joe Biden's presidential victory.

Committee members are also considering asking telecom companies to keep tapes of several people, including members of Congress, to try to determine who knew of the unfolding riot.

Inquiries were made regarding White House records from the National Archives, as well as materials from the departments of defense, justice, homeland security and internal affairs, as well as the FBI and the Office of National Intelligence.

In emotional testimony, officers talked about how frightened and frustrated they were that law enforcement officials failed to foresee the potential for violence and understand the scope of planning by Trump supporters.

As ForumDaily wrote earlier:

• The US Congress met on January 6 in Washington, DC to approve the results of the presidential election. At the same time numerous supporters of the incumbent US President Donald Trump crowded under the Capitol building to protest against these results... The situation quickly escalated and turned into chaos.

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