Trump, Giuliani accused in lawsuit of conspiring to incite Capitol riot

[webfact]

Trump, Giuliani accused in lawsuit of conspiring to incite Capitol riot

By Sarah N. Lynch and Karen Freifeld

 

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump stands with former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani before their meeting at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S., November 20, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar/Files

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Democratic congressman accused former President Donald Trump, his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and two right-wing groups of conspiring to incite the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol in a lawsuit on Tuesday.

 

The civil lawsuit accuses the duo of violating the Ku Klux Klan Act, an 1871 law passed to crack down on the white supremacist organization, and is the latest legal attempt to find Trump responsible for the violence on Jan. 6, which came after he spent months falsely claiming his election defeat in November was the result of widespread fraud.

 

It also names as defendants the Proud Boys, a far-right organization, and the anti-government militia known as the "Oath Keepers."

 

"The insurrection was the result of a carefully orchestrated plan by Trump, Giuliani and extremist groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, all of whom shared a common goal of employing intimidation, harassment and threats to stop the certification of the Electoral College," according to a press release announcing the lawsuit.

 

The U.S. Senate on Saturday acquitted Trump of inciting the Jan. 6 riot, when 57 senators including seven Republicans voted to convict, short of the 67 votes needed.

 

Although most Republicans voted against convicting Trump, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell nonetheless made it clear he still felt Trump was responsible, saying: "There is no question that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of that day."

 

Representative Bennie Thompson, a Democrat who chairs the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee, is the named plaintiff on the suit in U.S. District Court in Washington.

 

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and attorneys from the law firm Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC are handling the litigation.

 

Other members of Congress, including Democratic Representatives Hank Johnson and Bonnie Watson Coleman, are expected to join the lawsuit.

 

Jason Miller, an adviser to Trump, dismissed the allegations in the lawsuit, citing Trump's acquittal in the Senate.

 

"President Trump did not plan, produce or organize the Jan. 6th rally on the Ellipse," Miller said in a statement, referring to a speech the Republican former president made on Jan. 6 at a rally near the White House.

 

Giuliani could not be immediately reached for comment.

 

Critics have said that Trump and Giuliani helped incite the attack during the "Save America" rally, where both repeated false claims that the election had been stolen.

 

Giuliani told the crowd "let's have trial by combat... I'll be darned if they're going to take our free and fair vote."

 

Trump, who then took the stage, urged people to march to the Capitol. More than 200 people have been charged with federal offences in the assault on Congress, which left five dead.

 

The FBI and federal prosecutors have been increasingly focusing on whether members of far-right extremist groups conspired to impede Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's election victory.

 

More than 18 people associated with the Proud Boys have been charged so far for their alleged role during the riots.

 

Several of the alleged Proud Boy associates have been accused of conspiring to impede Congress or block police from protecting the Capitol.

 

Three alleged associates of the Oath Keepers have also been indicted on charges they conspired to storm the U.S. Capitol as far back as November. One of them - Thomas Caldwell - pleaded not guilty last week.

 

Reuters previously reported that the U.S. Justice Department is also considering whether to charge members of the groups under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO, normally used against organized crime, though a decision on that has not been made.

 

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch in Washington and Karen Freifeld in New York, additional reporting by Steve Holland and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Scott Malone and Alistair Bell)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-02-17

 

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[darksidedog]

Only a few lost souls can deny the truth. Without Donald falsely screaming he had been robbed and pushing his supporters to fight, the debacle on Jan 6th would not have happened. He tried to steal the election. Now he and his cronies can face the music.

[ThreeEyedRaven]

I suspect a jury once given all of the evidence in the matter, will have more integrity than the shameful performance of Republican Senators.

[PatOngo]

Trump and Giuliani could both do with a good horse whipping!

[ThreeEyedRaven]

I would go so far as to say it would be a serious challenge to find anyone, anywhere with less integrity than Trump.

Edited February 18, 2021 by onthedarkside
quote of hidden post removed

[Eric Loh]

14 minutes ago, webfact said:

Jason Miller, an adviser to Trump, dismissed the allegations in the lawsuit, citing Trump's acquittal in the Senate.

The impeachment defense was based on constitutionality and not on the merits of the evidence by the prosecutors. The acquittal therefore has no standing on the conspiracy to incite lawsuit. 

[bunnydrops]

I really think they should let R. Stone in on the fun

https://www.justsecurity.org/74579/exclusive-new-video-of-roger-stone-with-proud-boys-leaders-who-may-have-planned-for-capitol-attack/

[mtls2005]

30 minutes ago, webfact said:

The civil lawsuit accuses the duo of violating the Ku Klux Klan Act, an 1871 law passed to crack down on the white supremacist organization,

 

Ouch. Not a good look. I mean the suit, not their costumes.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Enforcement_Act

 

 

[Berkshire]

It's not clear what the remedy is in this case, i.e., what are the plaintiffs asking for?  Since it's civil, I assume it's money.  If this suit could bankrupt Trump, Rudy, PB, OK...it will certainly be worth filing. 

[tonray]

22 minutes ago, ThreeEyedRaven said:

I would go so far as to say it would be a serious challenge to find anyone, anywhere with less integrity than Trump.

and this from someone who has been to Immigration !

[Eric Loh]

3 minutes ago, Berkshire said:

It's not clear what the remedy is in this case, i.e., what are the plaintiffs asking for?  Since it's civil, I assume it's money.  If this suit could bankrupt Trump, Rudy, PB, OK...it will certainly be worth filing. 

Just getting that motley crew to testify under oath will be worth zillions. Trump testifying under oath will be a pay-per-view major event and great entertainment. 

[mtls2005]

9 minutes ago, Berkshire said:

It's not clear what the remedy is in this case, i.e., what are the plaintiffs asking for?  Since it's civil, I assume it's money.  If this suit could bankrupt Trump, Rudy, PB, OK...it will certainly be worth filing. 

 

https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.227536/gov.uscourts.dcd.227536.1.0_1.pdf

 

Page 31

 

 

Wherefore, Plaintiff respectfully requests an award of the following relief:
A. A declaratory judgment that the actions described herein constitute a violation of
42 U.S.C. § 1985(1);
B. Injunctive relief enjoining Defendants from engaging in future violations of 42
U.S.C. § 1985(1);
C. Compensatory in an amount to be determined at trial;
D. Punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial;
E. An award of costs and reasonable attorney’s fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988;
F. Such other relief as the Court deems necessary and just. 

[Tug]

Oh dear how can I say this oh yea LOCK HIM UP !! I can’t believe this man is still not in the penitentiary 

[heybruce]

'"President Trump did not plan, produce or organize the Jan. 6th rally on the Ellipse," Miller said in a statement, referring to a speech the Republican former president made on Jan. 6 at a rally near the White House.'

 

Of course not.  Trump paid groups that organized the rally, and former Trump campaign staffers arranged the permit, but Trump didn't do any of that work.  It would have distracted him from his golfing and tweeting.

 

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/535440-trump-campaign-paid-27-million-to-organizers-of-rally-ahead-of-capitol-riot

 

https://www.businessinsider.com/former-trump-campaign-staffers-helped-organize-rally-capitol-riot-2021-1?op=1

Edited February 17, 2021 by heybruce

[3 minus 2]

25 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.227536/gov.uscourts.dcd.227536.1.0_1.pdf

 

Page 31

 

 

Wherefore, Plaintiff respectfully requests an award of the following relief:
A. A declaratory judgment that the actions described herein constitute a violation of
42 U.S.C. § 1985(1);
B. Injunctive relief enjoining Defendants from engaging in future violations of 42
U.S.C. § 1985(1);
C. Compensatory in an amount to be determined at trial;
D. Punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial;
E. An award of costs and reasonable attorney’s fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988;
F. Such other relief as the Court deems necessary and just. 

Without wanting to sound stupid or to annoy you ....could you break that down into English...thank you..

[fangless]

1 hour ago, ThreeEyedRaven said:

I suspect a jury once given all of the evidence in the matter, will have more integrity than the shameful performance of Republican Senators.

The jury selection process could be as interesting as the actual trial!

[3 minus 2]

1 minute ago, fangless said:

The jury selection process could be as interesting as the actual trial!

SLIGHTLY off topic.. however an interesting angle 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/16/trump-dementia-claims-steve-bannon-25th-amendment

 

[helpisgood]

23 minutes ago, 3 minus 2 said:

Without wanting to sound stupid or to annoy you ....could you break that down into English...thank you..

Sure.  

 

Very simply translating into basic English:

 

A&B:  The Plaintiffs want the Court to declare what the Defendant(s) did was unlawful and to not do it again.

 

C,D&E:  The Plaintiffs want money from the Defendants to compensate Plaintiffs and to punish Defendants by making them pay additional money (punitive damages) and/or in any other way to make them literally pay, which includes the Plaintiff's attorney fees.  

 

F: If the Court can come up with any other relief to the Plaintiffs, that would be great.

 

That's the very basic idea, I think.  

 

PS, remember this is a civil lawsuit, not a criminal action, which may come along later depending upon the prosecutor(s).  And, it is possible for the parties to settle the civil suit before it ever goes to trial.     

 

I hope I was helpful, because that is a good thing.

[harada]

Fake news, fake news, hoax,hoax,hoax, ok Mr Trump your free to go.

[helpisgood]

1 hour ago, Berkshire said:

It's not clear what the remedy is in this case, i.e., what are the plaintiffs asking for?  Since it's civil, I assume it's money.  If this suit could bankrupt Trump, Rudy, PB, OK...it will certainly be worth filing. 

 

Great point, thanks!

 

Maybe the plaintiffs are hoping to uncover some interesting evidence during the Discovery Phase of the civil suit, esp. from Trump.  They can ask for documents and testimony, if they can get it.  Just follow the money and the paper trail(s).

 

Come to think of it, the Defense must be sweating out Mr. Trump testifying under oath in a deposition.  Settle!  Also, the litigation process may get to start to get too expensive for someone.     

 

Or, maybe Discovery is leverage to negotiate for a settlement especially from Trump, who likes to keep his finances secret.

 

Plus, could Deutsche Bank get later involved?

 

 Very interesting!  

 

Thanks for your thoughtful post!

Edited February 17, 2021 by helpisgood
add sentence

[mtls2005]

On 2/17/2021 at 10:09 AM, 3 minus 2 said:

Without wanting to sound stupid or to annoy you ....could you break that down into English...thank you..

 

It's already in English?

 

Are there specific words you're having trouble with?

 

 

 

Edited February 18, 2021 by onthedarkside
trolling comment removed

[connda]

Good.  Take it to court, let the facts be presented in Discovery, and allow an impartial jury to hear the case.  Then, let the chips fall where they may. 

 

 

Edited February 17, 2021 by connda

[pmarlin]

...this is going nowhere. Just another stupid attempt by a democrat that will fail.

Edited February 18, 2021 by onthedarkside
flame comment removed

[stevenl]

7 minutes ago, connda said:

Good.  Take it to court, let the facts be presented in Discovery, and allow an impartial jury to hear the case.  Then, let the chips fall where they may. 

 

 

Not going to happen, no way will an imparttial jury hear the case, Trump's team simply can't allow it to get that far.

[3 minus 2]

On 2/17/2021 at 12:14 PM, pmarlin said:

...this is going nowhere. Just another stupid attempt by a democrat that will fail.

Failure or success... The point is people feel strongly enuf about it and are willing to try...

[scorecard]

3 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Just getting that motley crew to testify under oath will be worth zillions. Trump testifying under oath will be a pay-per-view major event and great entertainment. 

And with all and sundry taking notes/taking a count of the lies and untruths he spews out. Perhaps that could also generate another case against him of contempt of court.

[Eric Loh]

27 minutes ago, scorecard said:

And with all and sundry taking notes/taking a count of the lies and untruths he spews out. Perhaps that could also generate another case against him of contempt of court.

That’s true with all the court discoveries that will reveal layers of criminal intent and spin into other lawsuits. Also the Trump campaign fundings to the insurrection organizers will put many in finance violation jeopardy. 
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhansen/2021/02/10/trump-campaign-paid-35-million-to-stop-the-steal-organizers-report-finds/?sh=490ae90b37ae

[simple1]

18 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

That’s true with all the court discoveries that will reveal layers of criminal intent and spin into other lawsuits. Also the Trump campaign fundings to the insurrection organizers will put many in finance violation jeopardy. 
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhansen/2021/02/10/trump-campaign-paid-35-million-to-stop-the-steal-organizers-report-finds/?sh=490ae90b37ae

 

trump family never gave up on attempted fraud / corruption, one could assume a torrent of law suites in the coming months. An example from your link...

 

$771 million. That’s how much the Trump Make America Great Again Committee spent through a shell company called American Made Media Consultants LLC, OpenSecrets found. The New York Times noted in December that the LLC, which at one point counted Trump’s daughter-in-law and senior campaign advisor Lara Trump among its board members, has been criticized for deliberately concealing the recipients of campaign fund. ast summer, the Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint with the FEC alleging that the Trump campaign violated campaign finance laws by “laundering” money through firms run by campaign officials.

[vandeventer]

Here we go again THERE IS NO PROOF and they will get off easy!!!!!

[Berkshire]

8 minutes ago, vandeventer said:

Here we go again THERE IS NO PROOF and they will get off easy!!!!!

All the same, Trump should get his lawyers ready.  That is, if he can find someone willing to represent him pro bono....5555