Two Capitol police officers on duty at the U.S. Capitol during the deadly January 6 riot sued former President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday, saying he was responsible for the physical and emotional injuries they suffered as a result of the events suffered that day.
Supporters of Mr. Trump overran the Capitol as Congress confirmed Joe Biden’s victory over Mr. Trump in the November presidential election. Prior to the incursion, Mr. Trump spoke at a nearby rally calling on his supporters to “show strength” and “fight like hell”.
Five people, including a Capitol police officer, died in the chaos. Mr Trump was later charged by the House of Representatives with “incitement to rebellion” but was acquitted in February after a brief Senate trial in which few Republicans broke their ranks to vote guilty.
The Capitol Police officers who sued Mr. Trump, James Blassingame, and Sidney Hemby have filed their complaints in the District of Columbia Federal District Court, each demanding more than $ 75,000 in damages plus punitive damages.
The lawsuit is the first to be brought against the former president by Capitol police officers. The force has more than 2,000 officers.
The officials’ and Mr Trump’s lawyers could not be reached for comment early Wednesday. Mr Trump previously denied responsibility for the attack.
The complaint alleged that the “insurgent mob” that stormed the Capitol was “fueled by Trump’s actions for many months into believing,” his false claims of widespread electoral fraud in November. The complaint also stated that Mr Trump’s supporters believed the raving about the Capitol was their last chance to prevent Mr Trump from being unjustly evicted from the White House.
Mr Trump “ignited, encouraged, sponsored, directed and supported and aided” the mob that overran the building and attacked police officers inside, the complaint said. It cited Mr Trump’s January 6 speech and other conduct, including failure on that day to “take timely action to deter its supporters from continuing violence”.
During the attack, Officer Hemby, an 11-year-old Capitol Police veteran, was outside the building, pressed against his side and sprayed with chemicals that burned his eyes, skin and neck. One member of the mob shouted that he was “disregarding the badge”.
Officer Hemby is still in physiotherapy for the neck and back injuries he sustained on Jan. 6 and “has tried to cope with the emotional aftermath of a relentless assault,” the complaint said.
Officer Blassingame, a 17-year veteran with the Force, sustained head and back injuries during the riot, followed by back pain, depression and insomnia.
“He is haunted by the memory of an attack and the sensory effects – the sights, sounds, smells and even the taste of the attack remain close to the surface,” the complaint said. “He is to blame for not being able to help his colleagues who were attacked at the same time. and survive where other colleagues haven’t. “
The Capitol and Metropolitan Police departments have said a total of at least 138 of their officers were injured during the riot. The injuries ranged from easy bruising to concussions, broken ribs, burns, and even a minor heart attack.
