A lawsuit that was launched in 2020 against then-President Donald Trump and his administration accusing them of unconstitutionally clearing racial justice protesters at Lafayette Square Park by using chemical irritants, including tear gas, before Trump used the area for a photo op holding a bible, could come back to haunt the former president.
The lawsuit in question, Buchanan v. Trump, ended up being settled with the government. But damage claims against Trump and other officials present at the square that day, like former Attorney General Bill Barr, still remain, Law&Crime reported. The damage claims were ultimately thrown over laws that protect federal officials from civil lawsuits.
A report was then released by U.S. Interior Department’s inspector general finding that the park was cleared to make way for Trump's photo op. However, the report also found the use of chemical irritants had been inconsistent with acceptable practices and also found that protesters did not know that police had previously ordered them to leave.
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"With that finding made and their lawsuits at a seeming standstill, the Buchanan plaintiffs had one avenue left: A new amended complaint approved by a judge," Law&Crime's report stated. "And that is exactly what’s unfolded quietly in the background of Trump’s many other pressing legal dramas in recent weeks and months. Though the merits of the plaintiff’s amended claims have yet to be decided, a judge has granted the parties the right to serve Trump."
Speaking to Law&Crime, a lawyer from the firm representing the Buchanan plaintiffs said the new claim will be file before mid-April.
"We anticipate filing our claims against Mr. Trump by April 12, as the Court directed in granting our motion to amend in part. Our clients look forward to seeing Mr. Trump in Court and holding him accountable for his and others’ attacks on the rights of peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square," said Lee Crain, a partner at Gibson Dunn.
Read the full report at Law&Crime.
