Second District Congressman Bennie Thompson says the Ku Klux Klan Act prevents racist groups from interfering with the work of elected officials. He contends the violent riot on January 6 was encouraged by former President Trump, to stop congress from certifying the presidential election.
“He invited people to Washington January 6th, and low and behold what happened, was this violent insurrection of people trying to take over and stop the orderly business of the United State government, simply because he lost his election,” said Thompson.
Thompson and the NAACP are suing former President Trump, his attorney Robert Guiliani and the white nationalist groups, the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Thompson says he’s met with some congressional members who want to be plaintiffs in the case. Mississippi College Law Professor Matt Steffey says the lawsuit faces two hurdles--presidential immunity which protects Trump from litigation while in office and proving there was a conspiracy.
“To prove a conspiracy, requires the proof that the president, Mr. Guiliani and the Proud Boys actually, factually to comment the alleged offenses,” said Steffey.
Thompson says the case is also about protecting congress, its staff and law enforcement. Steffey says the lawsuit will be watched closely because Thompson is a high ranking member of Congress.
