DOJ declines to defend Republican lawmaker in Swalwell’s lawsuit accusing him of inciting Capitol riot

Cole Crystal, DCNF

The Department of Justice declined to defend Republican Rep. Mo Brooks in a lawsuit alleging that he conspired to incite the riots that occurred at the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6, according to a Tuesday court filing.

Brooks, who is one of several Republicans targeted by Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell’s lawsuit, had argued that the Westfall Act would compel the department to protect federal elected officials in issues pertaining to their work, according to the filing.

“Members of Congress are subject to a host of restrictions that carefully distinguish between their official functions, on the one hand, and campaign functions, on the other,” the department wrote in response to Brooks.

“Inciting or conspiring to foment a violent attack on the United States Congress is not within the scope of employment of a Representative – or any federal employee – and thus is not the sort of conduct for which the United States is properly substituted as a defendant under the Westfall Act,” it said.

Swalwell retweeted some who commented positively on the news about the department’s decision to not support Brooks.

The Justice Department may also decide whether or not to defend former President Donald Trump, who was also named as a defendant in the Swalwell suit, according to Reuters.

The department pointed out that since Brooks was present for the rally in which Donald Trump told followers to stop the certification of electors, he was participating in a campaign event and should not be protected under the act.

For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].

DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW

Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!

Success! Thank you for donating. Please share BPR content to help combat the lies.

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

BPR INSIDER COMMENTS

Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!

Latest Articles