Trump sued for wrongful death of U.S. Capitol Police officer

The estate of a US Capitol Police officer who died a day after January 6, 2021 riots sued former president Donald Trump for wrongful death on Thursday, saying he incited his supporters to commit violence that day.

The lawsuit was filed in US District Court in Washington against Trump on behalf of Officer Brian Sicknick, who died at the age of 42 from a series of strokes on January 7.

Trump “deliberately incited the crowd and directed and encouraged the crowd to storm the US Capitol and attack those who opposed him,” Sicknick’s estate claims in court papers.

“The violence that ensued, and the injuries that violence caused, including the injuries sustained by Officer Sicknick and his eventual death, were reasonable and foreseeable consequences,” the lawsuit states.

Medical examiners said Sicknick was not injured during the attack at the US Capitol, where lawmakers are certifying the results of the presidential election, ruling that Sicknick’s death was of natural causes, but said the violent incident on January 6 likely “played a role in his condition.”

A spokeswoman for Trump could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

In addition to wrongful death, the lawsuit accuses Trump of violating Sicknick’s civil rights, assault and negligence. The property is seeking US$10 million in damages. Two January 6 protesters were also named in the complaint.

The Democratic-led US House of Representatives panel investigating the Jan. 6 events asked federal prosecutors in December to charge Trump with obstruction and sedition.

The committee’s request to the US Department of Justice marks the first time Congress has referred a former president for criminal prosecution.