Seeking Accountability for the Jan. 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol
Smith v. Trump
On January 6, 2021, the foundational values of our nation came under assault in a violent, mass attack of the U.S. Capitol. The attack was designed to threaten and intimidate those involved in conducting and protecting the election certification process. It was not just an assault on people or property, but one on democracy itself.
Capitol Police officers stood as a line of defense for our country, risking their lives to protect not only elected representatives across the political spectrum but the voices of millions of Americans and our democracy. They faced traumatizing violence: some died in connection to the attack while others were beaten, pepper sprayed, subjected to racial slurs, and put in fear for their lives. The experiences of many of these survivors have changed their lives in profound ways forever.
Since August 2021, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law has represented a group of U.S. Capitol Police officers in their civil suit to hold accountable those responsible for the Capitol attack. The lawsuit names as defendants Donald J. Trump, his 2020 campaign organization, Stop the Steal, the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, and other individuals who the complaint alleges bear primary responsibility for the attack.
The lawsuit alleges that the attack on the Capitol violated the Ku Klux Klan Act and that President Trump and other defendants deliberately spread false claims about the 2020 election to incite violence from groups like the Proud Boys in order to prevent Congress from carrying out its duty to certify the election results.
The Capitol Police officers bringing this suit put their lives on the line to protect the votes and voices of everyone in this country, including Black voters and other voters of color. This case aims to hold accountable those primarily responsible for the attack so that such political violence never happens again.
Key Documents
Statements and Releases
As Three-Year Anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol Insurrection Approaches, Federal Appeals Court Rules that Trump Does Not Have Immunity from Civil Rights Suit Brought by U.S. Capitol Police Officers (Jan. 5, 2024)
Trump Indicted for Attempting to Overturn 2020 Election (Aug. 1, 2023)
January 6th Was an Attack on Democracy Itself (Jan. 6, 2022)
National Civil Rights Groups Issue Statement on Anniversary of Jan. 6 Insurrection (Jan. 6, 2022)
News Reports
Press Release (Aug. 26, 2021)
New York Times: “Capitol Police Officers Sue Trump and Allies Over Election Lies and Jan. 6” (Aug. 26, 2021)
USA Today: “Capitol Police officers sue Trump, extremists, alleging conspiracy, terrorism on Jan. 6” (Aug. 26, 2021)
Latest on the Case
The litigation continues against Donald Trump, his 2020 campaign organization, the Proud Boys, and the other defendants in Smith v. Trump. The case is in “discovery,” during which the parties collect evidence related to the claims against the Defendants.