TL;DR
- Participants in the Jan. 6 riot are suing police for excessive force.
- The class action lawsuit seeks over $18 million in damages.
- Lead plaintiff is a Proud Boy granted clemency by Trump.
- The lawsuit includes 35 other individuals with claims.
- This case adds to the legal fallout from January 6.
In a shocking twist of events, several participants of the infamous January 6 Capitol riot are now turning the tables and suing the federal government. Yes, you heard that right! These rioters are claiming that the police used excessive force against them during their chaotic attempt to overturn the 2020 election results. The audacity is strong with this one.
Filed in Florida, this class action lawsuit alleges that police “indiscriminately launched explosive munitions, chemical agents, and impact projectiles into a peaceful crowd.” Oh, the irony! As if storming the Capitol was a peaceful protest! The lead plaintiff, Alan Fischer, is a member of the Proud Boys and was identified through his modeling photos. Talk about a glow-up gone wrong!
Fischer, who was granted clemency by none other than Donald Trump, is joined by two other Jan. 6 participants who managed to escape any charges. The lawsuit lists a whopping 35 other individuals who filed claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Among them is a former Boston police K-9 officer who described his actions on that fateful day as “an abomination.” We couldn’t agree more!
But wait, there’s more! The lawsuit could potentially grow to include hundreds or even thousands of individuals, all seeking a staggering $18.4 million in damages. The Justice Department has yet to respond, but one thing is clear: this legal circus is far from over.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the government has faced lawsuits related to January 6. The estate of Ashli Babbitt, a rioter shot by police during the chaos, previously sued for $30 million, eventually settling for nearly $5 million. Meanwhile, former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio is also in the legal hot seat, claiming his prosecution was tainted. It seems like everyone wants a piece of the legal pie!
As the legal battles continue to unfold, one can only wonder what’s next for these rioters. Will they get their day in court, or will justice prevail in a way they never saw coming? Stay tuned, because this saga is far from over!