WASHINGTON, D.C. – Attorney General Karl A. Racine today issued the following statement ahead of tomorrow’s one-year anniversary of the deadly January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building:
“A year ago, America watched in horror as a group of violent and lawless domestic terrorists ransacked the U.S. Capitol – a global symbol of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. These terrorists came dangerously close to destroying America. And in the process, they put peoples’ lives in jeopardy – law enforcement officers, Capitol workers, members of Congress, congressional aides, and District residents. On that day, District residents and Capitol Hill staff feared for their lives. Five people died. 140 officers were injured – including 65 officers from the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). And since then, three MPD officers have tragically taken their own lives.”
“In the immediate aftermath of January 6, Democratic and Republican attorneys general, former presidents, and members of Congress were nearly unanimous in their condemnation of this terrorist attack. But since then, too many leaders have chosen party over country by brushing the insurrection under the rug or minimizing the damage wrought by these lawless thugs. I can assure you that the nearly 700,000 District residents and the roughly 800 brave men and women of the MPD, who defended the Capitol that day, will never forget January 6.”
“That is why my office recently filed the first civil lawsuit by a government entity against the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and their members for conspiring to undermine our democracy and harm the District of Columbia, its law enforcement officers, and our residents. Our suit – which is also the first time a government entity is suing under the 1871 Ku Klux Klan Act – is seeking substantial financial damages to obtain restitution and recompense for the law enforcement officers who continue to suffer physical, emotional, and mental trauma. If we bankrupt these hate groups in the process of this suit, then so be it. When extremists go bankrupt, that’s a good day for America. Without money, these domestic terrorists cannot finance and plan future acts that betray our country’s principles of freedom, democracy, and respect for the rule of law.”
“As our case moves forward, we’re encouraged that the U.S. Justice Department obtained a criminal guilty plea against Proud Boys member, Matthew Greene, for charges of obstruction of justice and conspiring to assault the Capitol. His admission bolsters the conspiracy claims in our civil complaint. My office is looking forward to the District’s day in court.”
On December 14, 2021, AG Racine filed a federal lawsuit to hold the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and their leaders and members accountable for the role they played in planning and carrying out the deadly January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The lawsuit specifically claims the groups, as well as their leaders and members, caused extensive damage to the District of Columbia, and particularly to the law enforcement officers who risked their lives to defend the Capitol, the District, and our democracy.
A copy and summary of OAG’s legal complaint are available here and here, respectively.