Key Takeaways:
– Legal disputes involving Donald Trump are still ongoing despite criminal cases being dropped.
– Multiple civil lawsuits are in process, accusing Trump of wrongdoing related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riots and alleged voter suppression.
– The implications of these lawsuits are likely to be financial for Trump, and they could help establish a precise account of the events surrounding Jan. 6.
– The current situation involves five lawsuits relating to the Capitol attacks, four of which have been consolidated in one court.
– Trump could face accusations of neglect, violation of civil rights, and contravention of the Ku Klux Klan Act.
Regardless of criminal cases against President-elect Donald Trump being shelved, several civil lawsuits involving him are all set to proceed. The legal issues around the former US President are far from over.
Cases To Proceed Despite No Risk of Jail
Even though there’s no chance of Trump being imprisoned, the outcome of these legal battles could significantly affect his financial stance. The lawsuits cropping up could potentially aid in establishing a factual account of the events that transpired around Jan. 6.
Multiple Lawsuits in The Works
At present, five lawsuits are brewing in relation to the Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol. Notably, four of these cases have been consolidated, presided over by D.C. District Court Judge Amit Mehta, while another is being handled separately by D.C. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan.
The consolidated lawsuits began with Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) before transitioning to Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) as the lead plaintiff following Thompson’s withdrawal. These cases include the involvement of groups like the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, their leaders, and other militia organizations. However, there have been some changes to the original compliant as certain defendants, including Donald Trump Jr., former Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL), and Rudy Giuliani, were removed from the cases.
Officers Seek Compensation For Injuries
There are also instances of US Capitol Police officers suing the former President for injuries sustained during the Capitol attack. For instance, Officer James Blassingame, a veteran Black officer, described his experience of the racially abusive and violent scenes that unfolded during the attempt to protect the Capitol. He, along with other officers, are part of this group of lawsuits against Trump, his campaign entities, militia groups, and other individuals.
Trump’s Accusations
More accusations against Trump are underway. He stands broadly accused of neglect and conspiring to interfere with civil rights, coupled with violating the Ku Klux Klan Act. This law, enacted during the Reconstruction era, initially aimed to prevent white supremacist groups from meddling with the civil rights of freed slaves.
A separate case being handled in Judge Chutkan’s court, Michigan Welfare Rights Organization v. Trump, points to violations of the Voting Rights Act through an alleged conspiracy targeting areas with large Black populations and false fraud claims, specifically in Detroit, Michigan. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) later joined this lawsuit, furthering the scope of accusations under the KKK Act.
Trump’s Day in Court
So, while Trump may be safe from prison, he is not free from courtrooms. The Jan. 6 events might come to light vividly if Trump decides not to settle these lawsuits. While these cases might dent his finances, they also serve an essential role in establishing an exhaustive account of what truly happened on and around Jan. 6th, 2021.