The suit also names as defendants Roger Stone, the Trump campaign and a long-time adviser to Trump, as well as Stop the Steal, the group that organized the rally Trump addressed Jan. 6. More than a dozen people are facing criminal charges in connection with the riot, as well as several other organizations whose members were involved such as the Oath Keepers or Proud Boys.
In a joint statement, the seven officers stated that they had joined the Capitol Police in order to uphold the law. "On January 6, we attempted to stop people breaking the law and destroying democracy. Our jobs, and the jobs of our colleagues, have become more dangerous. We will do everything we can to ensure that the perpetrators are held responsible and that this does not happen again.
This is the second lawsuit filed by Capitol Police officers against Trump. Two officers filed a first lawsuit against Trump earlier in the year.
The violence has also been sued by members of Congress. In February, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) In February, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) filed suit against Trump and Giuliani as well as the Proud Boys. A dozen other Democratic House members joined later as plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Thompson, who was named chair of the House select panel probing the origins and causes of the riot, dropped out of court in July.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D.Calif.), sued Trump, Giuliani and Rep. Mo Brooks, (R-Ala.), over their alleged role in encouraging violence.
The lawyers for the officers who filed the suit requested that it be assigned Judge Amit Mehta. He is an Obama appointee and has already handled other civil cases relating to riots.
Experts believe that cases against those who were actually accused of violence on January 6 will gain traction. Due to the broad First Amendment protections for speech on political topics, claims against Trump, Giuliani, and others will face a difficult battle in court. The attorneys pressing the cases hope to get them into a discovery phase. This will allow them to examine how the rallies that led to the Jan. 6, riot were funded and what discussions were held among organizers regarding the possibility of violence.
