WASHINGTON:A Democratic congressman, in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, accused former President Donald Trump, his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and two right-wing groups of conspiring to incite last month's deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol.
The civil lawsuit accuses them of violating the Ku Klux Klan Act, an 1871 law passed to crack down on the white supremacist organization. It is the latest legal attempt to find Trump responsible for the violence on Jan. 6, after he spent months falsely claiming his election defeat in November was the result of widespread fraud.
It also names as defendants the Proud Boys, a far-right organization, and the anti-government militia known as the "Oath Keepers."
"The insurrection was the result of a carefully orchestrated plan by Trump, Giuliani and extremist groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, all of whom shared a common goal of employing intimidation, harassment and threats to stop the certification of the Electoral College," according to a press release announcing the lawsuit.
The U.S. Senate on Saturday acquitted Trump of inciting the Jan. 6 riot, when 57 senators, including seven Republicans, voted to convict, short of the 67 votes needed.
Representative Bennie Thompson, a Democrat who chairs the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee, is the named plaintiff on the suit filed in U.S. District Court in Washington.
It seeks compensatory and punitive damages without citing a dollar figure, as well as an award for attorneys fees. In addition, it asks a federal judge to issue an order barring Trump and his co-defendants from future violations of the law.
Thompson says he heard threats and a gunshot during the attack on the Capitol and had to hide from the mob.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and attorneys from the law firm Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC are handling the litigation.
Giuliani did not respond to a request comment.
Jason Miller, an adviser to Trump, said Giuliani "is not currently representing President Trump in any legal matters" and he dismissed the allegations in the lawsuit, citing Trump's acquittal in the Senate.
"President Trump did not plan, produce or organize the Jan. 6th rally on the Ellipse," Miller said in a statement, referring to a speech the Republican former president made that day at a rally near the White House.
Indiana University law professor Gerard Magliocca said Trump will likely be dismissed as a defendant from the lawsuit because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision from 1982 that protects presidents from lawsuits over official acts.
"I don't see how the tort suit can proceed" against Trump, Magliocca said, adding that in his view, Trump's speech was within the scope of his official duties.
Critics have said that Trump and Giuliani helped incite the rioters during the Jan. 6 "Save America" rally, where both repeated false claims that the election had been stolen.
Giuliani told the crowd "let's have trial by combat... I'll be darned if they're going to take our free and fair vote."
Trump, who then took the stage, urged people to march to the Capitol. More than 200 people have been charged with federal offences in the assault on Congress, which left five dead.
The lawsuit also discusses actions Trump took prior to the riots, as evidence he helped to incite them.
After officials in states such as Georgia, Arizona and Michigan warned of possible threats of violence, for instance, the lawsuit alleges that Trump "endorsed rather than discouraged" those threats.
The FBI and federal prosecutors have been increasingly focusing on whether members of far-right extremist groups conspired to impede Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's election victory.
At least 18 people associated with the Proud Boys have been charged so far for their alleged role during the riots. Several of the alleged Proud Boy associates have been accused of conspiring to impede Congress or block police from protecting the Capitol.
Three alleged associates of the Oath Keepers have also been indicted on charges they conspired to storm the U.S. Capitol as far back as November. One of them - Thomas Caldwell - pleaded not guilty last week.
Reuters has reported that the Justice Department is also considering whether to charge members of the groups under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO, normally used against organized crime. A decision on that has not been made.
Other members of Congress, including Democratic Representatives Hank Johnson and Bonnie Watson Coleman, are expected to join the lawsuit.
Reuters
Wed Feb 17 2021
Donald Trump stands with former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani before their meeting at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S. Filepic/REUTERS
S. Korea's Parliament votes for appointment of Constitutional Court Justices
South Korea's parliament on Thursday voted for the appointment of three constitutional court justices to fill vacancies on the nine-member bench for President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial
List of BRICS partners to be announced soon - Brazil's Foreign Ministry
The complete list of countries that will join BRICS as partners will be disclosed in the coming weeks, Russian News Agency (TASS) reported.
Green Electricity Tariff programme to continue in 2025 - Petra
The Green Electricity Tariff (GET) programme will continue in 2025, says PETRA.
Telegram, Tencent begin licensing process to operate in Malaysia - MCMC
Service providers Telegram and Tencent (WeChat) have initiated the process of obtaining the required licence for operating their platforms in Malaysia, said MCMC
PM Anwar wants tourism products to promote more local history, legends and legendary sites
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hopes initiatives to promote tourism products related to legendary sites, history, local legends and myths can be enhanced to attract tourists to the country.
No Malaysians affected by unrest in Mozambique, says Wisma Putra
No Malaysians in Mozambique have been affected by the ongoing unrest, which has predominantly impacted urban areas, including the capital Maputo, said Malaysia's Foreign Ministry, Wisma Putra.
Sri Lankan President expresses interest in joining BRICS in letter to Putin
Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake expressed interest in joining BRICS in a letter sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin in October.
Raub fully recovers from floods
The flood situation in Pahang has shown improvements, with a decrease in the number of evacuees after the temporary relief centre (PPS) in Raub closed this morning.
Govt to organise Economic Forum on Jan 9
The government is set to organise the Malaysian Economic Forum (FEM2025) on Jan 9, 2025, to chart Malaysia's priorities and policies for 2025.
Immediate reform needed in social media regulations to protect children - Syerleena
The government's move to licence social media services to overcome various problems on the Internet, including digital predation on children is apt, said Bukit Bendera MP
MACC to focus on eradicating grand corruption, returning misappropriated national assets, money in 2025
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) aims to focus on eradicating corruption in procurement, enforcement and grand corruption to help the country's economy.
Perspective: 20 years on, lessons learned and unlearned from 2004 tsunami
Reflections on the devastating tsunami 20 years ago
Tesla's Shanghai mega factory to complete construction by end of year
US carmaker Tesla's mega factory in Shanghai is expected to finish construction by the end of this year, according to Tesla China, reported Xinhua.
Japan to ease visas for Chinese visitors, boosting ties and tourism
Japan will ease visa requirements for Chinese visitors, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya announced Wednesday, aiming to boost tourism and business ties between the neighbouring countries.
Hamas says Gaza ceasefire deal delayed due to new Israeli conditions
Palestinian group Hamas said Wednesday that a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap has been delayed due to new Israeli conditions, Anadolu Agency reported.
Govt suggested to integrate AI, IoT as smart solution for flood disaster management
The government should integrate AI & IoT technology as a solution for flood disaster management, says the Malaysian IoT Association
State commission convenes to investigate Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash causes
The commission addressed several urgent issues, including providing necessary assistance to those injured in the accident.
Continuous rain warning across three states from Dec 28 - MetMalaysia
Continuous rain at the alert level is expected to occur in several parts of Sabah for three days, starting this Saturday (Dec 28), according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
Ringgit opens slightly higher vs greenback
The ringgit opened slightly higher against the US dollar on Thursday, supported by the yuan's stabilisation after the People's Bank of China decided against cutting rates earlier this week
FAM Executive Committee candidates for 2025-2029 term to be announced by late January
The list of candidates contesting in the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Executive Committee election for the 2025-2029 term will be announced by the end of January.