Three law enforcement officers who claim they were injured and emotionally traumatized during the riots at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 have filed lawsuits against former President Donald Trump.
One lawsuit was filed by a U.S. Capitol Police officer and the other was filed by two members of the DC Metropolitan Police, according to CNN. The complaints accuse Trump of directing assault and battery; aiding and abetting assault and battery; civil conspiracy; and violating local Washington, DC, laws that prohibit incitement of riots and disorderly conduct.
In one lawsuit, Capitol Police officer Marcus Moore alleges he was injured by rioters entering the Capitol during the attack. Moore claims he was crushed against the wall by rioters and went temporarily deaf after hearing flashbangs detonated by insurrections.
"Defendant Trump agreed and conspired with his followers to stage an attack on the Capitol to prevent Congress and Vice President Mike Pence, by force, intimidation, or threat, from discharging their duties of certifying the winners of the 2020 presidential election," Moore's lawsuit states.
The complaint goes on to say that Moore suffered from physical injuries including persistent tinnitus, a condition that causing ringing in his ears, as well as depression as a result of the events on January 6.
"Trump, by his words and conduct, directed the mob that stormed the Capitol," the lawsuit states. "Speaking from his position as the leader of a powerful political movement, including a private militia that was expressly 'standing by,' Trump planted the seeds to create a public disturbance which by tumultuous and violent conduct or the threat thereof would create grave danger or injury to property and persons."
The other lawsuit filed by Metropolitan Police officers Bobby Tabron and DeDivine K. Carter contains similar allegations.
Tabron claims he suffered a broken wrist, as well as slurred speech and slower thinking after he was repeatedly struck in the head with flag poles and bats during hand-to-hand combat with rioters.
"As insurrectionists advanced and attacked Officer Tabron, they called him a n---er and shouted at him that he’d be nothing without his badge," the complaint states.
Carter claims he was also repeatedly struck by rioters and was "crushed from every direction" during what he describes as "an all-out brawl."
"He was punched and struck repeatedly, hit with projectiles, and sprayed with chemicals," the lawsuit states. "He kept telling himself 'I'm not going to die here.' … It felt to him like war."
Their lawsuit claims that Trump is responsible for their injuries.
"As the leader of this violent mob, who took their cues from his campaign rhetoric and personal Tweets and traveled from around the country to the nation's capital at Trump's invitation for the January 6 rally, Trump was in a position of extraordinary influence over his followers, who committed assault and battery," the complaint states. "Trump's words and encouragement leading up to and on January 6, 2021, created a foreseeable risk of harm."
Both lawsuits are seeking monetary damages. Neither Trump nor his legal team has responded to the lawsuits.
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