US police attack Donald Trump, allies and right-wing extremists during Capitol riots

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U.S. Capitol Police officers who were attacked and beaten during the riots at the Capitol have filed lawsuits against former president Donald Trump, allies and members of right -wing extremist groups, accusing them of deliberately sending a violent mob on Jan. 6 to interfere with congressional certification. of the election.

The lawsuit was filed Thursday in federal court in Washington accusing Mr. Trump of “collaborating with white supremacists, violent extremist groups, and campaign supporters who violated the Ku Klux Klan Act, and committed acts of terrorism. at home in an unlawful effort to stay in power ”.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of seven officers of the Civil Rights Act.

It named the former president, the Trump campaign, Mr. Trump’s ally Roger Stone and members of the extremist groups Proud Boys and Oath Keepers present at the Capitol and in Washington on Jan. 6.

Two other similar cases have been filed in recent months by Democratic members of Congress.

The dome of the U.S. Capitol will be on display on August 24, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Getty

Prosecutors accuse the actions of Mr. Trump and his allies led to a violent siege of the Capitol that injured dozens of police officers, halted the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory and sent the legislators running for their lives as rioters stormed the seat of American democracy using bats, poles and other weapons.

A committee in the House began diligently to investigate what happened that day, sending out requests Wednesday for documents from intelligence, law enforcement and other government agencies.

Their biggest request so far has been made to the National Archive for information about Mr. Trump and his former team.

Mr. Trump accused the committee of violating “long -standing legal principles of privilege,” but his team had no immediate comment about the lawsuit on Thursday.

“The privilege of the executive will be defended, not only on behalf of my Administration and the Patriots who have worked alongside me, but on behalf of the Office of the President of the United States and the future of our Country,” Mr. Trump said in a written statement.

Also on Thursday, a Capitol Police official who fatally cracked down on an unarmed Trump protest told “NBC Nightly News” in an interview that he had no choice but to shoot.

“I tried to wait as long as I could,” Lieutenant Michael Byrd said.

“I hope and pray that no one attempts to enter those gates. But their failure to comply required me to take appropriate action to save the lives of members of Congress and me and my fellow officials. . “

He was cleared of any wrongdoing in the shooting of Ashli ​​Babbitt. His name was withheld by authorities due to safety concerns, but he went public on NBC.

Mr. Byrd said they were trapped, barricaded inside by lawmakers he swore to protect. He heard the arrival of the mob and his anxiety worsened. He said he repeatedly shouted for the rioters to return.

On the other side of the door, video was shown the moment he fired the single shot, after rioters shouted at police to get out of the way and smash the glass door leading to the Chamber room doors.

Mr. Byrd fired a shot, striking Ms. Babbitt as she tried to climb over the covered window to the window. He is unarmed.

“I knew that day that I had saved a lot of lives,” Mr Byrd said.

“I know members of Congress, as well as my fellow officers and staff, are at risk and in serious danger. And that’s my job.”

At least 140 officers were injured during the unrest. The lawsuit is named as the accused by many people charged with federal crimes related to it.

They are said to have “conspired to use force, intimidation, and intimidation to prevent Joe Biden and Kamala Harris from taking office, to prevent Congress from counting election votes, and to prevent the Capitol Police from performing their duties accordingly. in law “.

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