US Capitol Police officers who were attacked and beaten during the Capitol riot have filed a lawsuit against former president Donald Trump, his allies and members of far-right extremist groups, accusing them of intentionally sending a violent mob on 6 January to disrupt the congressional certification of the election.
The suit filed on Thursday in the federal court in Washington alleges Mr Trump "worked with white supremacists, violent extremist groups, and campaign supporters to violate the Ku Klux Klan Act, and commit acts of domestic terrorism in an unlawful effort to stay in power".
The suit was filed on behalf of the seven officers by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
It names the former president, the Trump campaign, Mr Trump's ally Roger Stone and members of the extremist groups the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers who were present at the Capitol and in Washington on 6 January.
Two other similar cases have been filed in recent months by Democratic members of Congress.
The suits will allege the actions of Mr Trump and his allies led to the violence siege of the Capitol that injured dozens of police officers, halted the certification of Democrat Joe Biden's electoral victory and sent lawmakers running for their lives as rioters stormed into the seat of American democracy wielding bats, poles and other weapons.
The dome of the US Capitol is seen on August 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. Source: Getty
A House committee has started in earnest to investigate what happened that day, sending out requests on Wednesday for documents from intelligence, law enforcement and other government agencies.
Their largest request so far was made to the National Archive for information on Mr Trump and his former team.
Mr Trump accused the committee of violating "long-standing legal principles of privilege," but his team had no immediate comment on Thursday's lawsuit.
"Executive privilege will be defended, not just on behalf of my Administration and the Patriots who worked beside me, but on behalf of the Office of the President of the United States and the future of our Nation," Mr Trump said in a written statement.
Also on Thursday, a Capitol Police officer who fatally shot an unarmed Trump protester told "NBC Nightly News" in an interview that he had no other choice but to shoot.
"I tried to wait as long as I could," Lieutenant Michael Byrd said.
"I hoped and prayed no one tried to enter through those doors. But their failure to comply required me to take the appropriate action to save the lives of members of Congress and myself and my fellow officers."
He was cleared of any wrongdoing in the shooting of Ashli Babbitt. His name had been withheld by authorities over safety concerns, but he came forward publicly on NBC.
Mr Byrd said they were trapped, barricaded inside with lawmakers he was sworn to protect. He heard the mob coming and his anxiety worsened. He said he yelled repeatedly for the rioters to get back.
On the other side of the door, video showed the moment he fired the single shot, after rioters screamed at police to get out of the way and broke through the glass door leading to the doors of the House chamber.
Mr Byrd fired one shot, striking Ms Babbitt as she was trying to climb through the jagged opening in the window. She was unarmed.
"I know that day I saved countless lives," Mr Byrd said.
"I know members of Congress, as well as my fellow officers and staff, were in jeopardy and in serious danger. And that's my job."
At least 140 officers were injured during the riot. The lawsuit names as defendants several people who have been charged with federal crimes related to it.
They are alleged to have "conspired to use force, intimidation, and threats to prevent Joe Biden and Kamala Harris from taking office, to prevent Congress from counting the electoral votes, and to prevent the Capitol Police from carrying out their lawful duties".
