January 6 rioters sue US government for $18.4M over alleged police brutality

A group of participants from the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot has filed a class action lawsuit against the federal government. The legal action, submitted in Florida on Friday, accuses police of using excessive force against the pro-Trump crowd. The plaintiffs are seeking over $18.4 million in damages for injuries they claim to have suffered.

Among the lead plaintiffs is Alan Fischer, a Florida man linked to the Proud Boys, whose case was dismissed after receiving clemency from President Donald Trump in 2021. The lawsuit also names two uncharged participants, Patrick and Marie Sullivan, alongside 35 others who previously filed administrative claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

The lawsuit alleges that law enforcement deployed explosive munitions, chemical agents, and impact projectiles against what it describes as a peaceful gathering. Court documents suggest that more than 46 individuals could eventually join the claim, though no further details about unnamed participants have been released.

One of the plaintiffs is a former Boston police K-9 officer who received a 20-month prison sentence for his role in the riot. Another, a member of the Proud Boys, was handed a 10-year term for assaulting officers with pepper spray gel and later evading authorities. The list of plaintiffs also includes Andrew Paul Johnson, a convicted child molester. Authorities have accused him of attempting to silence a victim by promising a share of any potential government payout. His involvement adds a further layer of controversy to the case. Fischer, one of the lead claimants, had his legal troubles resolved when Trump granted him clemency in 2021. This led to the dismissal of his case, allowing him to proceed with the current lawsuit. The Sullivans, who have not faced charges, are also key figures in the action.

The lawsuit moves forward with demands for millions in compensation, citing alleged police brutality during the Capitol breach. The case now awaits further legal proceedings, with the government yet to respond to the claims. The outcome could set a precedent for how similar cases involving January 6 participants are handled in the future.