The D.C. AG v. insurrectionists lawsuit.
The complaint is here: s3.documentcloud.org/documents/2115…
My, what a lot of defendants (with room to add more).
The AG wants them on the hook for the cost of the damages, including punitive damages and attorney fees.
1/
The complaint alleges that these groups formed for the purpose of perpetuating violence.
It appears that the Oath Keepers took Reagan's statement that "government is the problem" to heart.
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"We will have to get violent to stop this."
Excuse me while I have a little rant:
These ⤵️are the kinds of details coming out in the indictments which Doom Twitter ignores because these are the "little guys" and so who cares?
Rant over.
Carry on.
3/
The complaint gives the violent history of the oath keepers, and the efforts of both groups to "Incite coordinated violence around the 2020 presidential election."
They used Trump's loss to recruit new members, who they called the "duly elected president."
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These details are to show that this wasn't an isolated event or something that they were riled to do at the moment. It was meticulously planned.
Premediated crimes are always worse.
They also conspired to undermine the formal voting process (also a crime.)
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The overarching point: "This was a coordinated plan for violence." #1
It will be "wild," they say.
Trump used that same word when he called people to D.C.
What a coincidence!
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("You are not "gentlemen,"⤵️ Teri says in her schoolmarm voice. Screenshot #1)
The Proud Boys will go "incognito." I mean how stupid do they think law enforcement is? FBI: "They're not wearing the right colors so we can't figure out who they are." 🙄 #2
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Very clear goals here. #1 and #2
There seems to be a dialogue between Trump and these particular "supporters." (#3 and #4)
(I have to take a bit of a break. Will return and keep reading later.)
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This makes it hard for Defendant Pezzola to say, "It wasn't me." #1
If you read good detective novels and watch thrillers, you might have the idea that people who commit crimes are masterminds. Generally . . . no. See #2
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Here they are, beating up a police officer. Save this for the next time a right-winger tells you that blue lives matter. # 1 and #2
The members of congress being evacuated are wearing gas masks. Many are now covering for the insurrectionists. #2
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They are gleefully coordinating their communication.
It's like they are absolutely giddy with the idea that they get to hurt and kill. #1
At least 65 Metropolitan Police officers were injured. #2
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Counts: 42 U.S.C. § 1985(1)
law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42…
Against all defendants.
42 U.S. Code § 1986
law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42…
Against all defendants.
Assault.
Battery.
Intentional infliction of emotional distress.
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Here's the problem for Republicans. (Actually, two faces of the same problem.)
First: These guys are their "base." Given the changing demographics, without them, they have no hope of winning anything other than very local elections.
Second. . .
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Second, they secretly sympathize. They think the federal government IS the problem. They dislike what the federal government has become since the New Deal and Civil Rights movement. They want all power to be local. They'd love to disband the entire federal government.
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The difference between putting DeJoy in charge of the USPS and storming the capital is a matter of degree.
You can either dismantle the federal government slowly or bring in wrecking balls.
To answer a few questions I see . . .
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This is how they leave open the possibility of adding new defendants ⤵️ as more people get charged criminally.
These defendants have already been charged criminally. (I think they all have)
(When I read this, I thought 'only 50' more?😆)
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