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Civil Rights Groups Expand Lawsuit Against Trump Administration for Lafayette Square Assault

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Civil rights groups, led by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, have filed a motion to add Washington D.C. Chief of Police Peter Newsham and unnamed D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers as defendants in a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit, Black Lives Matter D.C. v. Trump, was originally filed in early June and alleges that the Trump administration and law enforcement officials violated the constitutional rights of protesters in Lafayette Square on June 1, 2020. The amended lawsuit includes new plaintiffs, Dustin Foley and his 15-year-old daughter, who were among those assaulted by federal law enforcement and MPD officers during the protest.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Lawsuit against the Trump administration has been expanded to include Washington D.C. Chief of Police Peter Newsham and unnamed D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers.
  • The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration and law enforcement officials violated the constitutional rights of protesters in Lafayette Square on June 1, 2020.
  • Dustin Foley and his 15-year-old daughter, identified as "E.X.F.," were added as plaintiffs in the case, alleging they were assaulted by MPD officers and federal law enforcement during the protest.
  • The amended lawsuit highlights the complicity of the D.C. police department in the federal government's assault on peaceful protesters, violating their First Amendment rights.
  • Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, stated that Chief Newsham and his officers "have a duty to protect the public, not work hand-in-glove with the president to assault the public."
  • The lawsuit alleges that D.C. police officers willingly participated alongside federal law enforcement in the Lafayette Square assault, even as protesters pleaded for medical attention.

Statistics:

  • The lawsuit, Black Lives Matter D.C. v. Trump, was originally filed in early-June.
  • The amended lawsuit includes new plaintiffs, Dustin Foley and his 15-year-old daughter, who were among those assaulted by federal law enforcement and MPD officers during the protest.
  • Kristen Clarke has emphasized that the lawsuit is not just about addressing the Trump administration's actions but also about holding accountable the complicity of local law enforcement, such as the D.C. police department.
  • The D.C. police department's complicity in the federal government's assault on peaceful protesters highlights a critical issue of police accountability and First Amendment rights.

Sources:

  • Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law press release
  • Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs
  • ACLU of the District of Columbia
  • Arnold & Porter

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