New video on the insults in the assault on the Capitol 1:31
(CNN) -
Seven United States Capitol police officers sued former President Donald Trump, the organizers of the “Stop the Steal” rally, and members of far-right groups, accusing them of spreading lies, of using sentiments of white supremacism to attempting to overturn the 2020 elections and ultimately taking responsibility for the riots that injured more than 140 officers on January 6.
"Plaintiffs and their fellow law enforcement officials risked their lives to defend the Capitol from a violent and massive attack, an attack provoked, aided, and assisted by the Defendants in an unlawful effort to use force, intimidation, and threats to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 presidential elections, "says the lawsuit, which was filed Thursday in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
"Due to the Defendants' illegal actions, Plaintiffs were violently assaulted, spat on, tear gas sprayed, bear sprayed, subjected to name calling and racial nicknames, and feared for their lives," the lawsuit states.
"Plaintiffs' injuries, caused by defendants, persist to this day."
The new lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal actions against the former president designed to hold him responsible for the deadly insurrection of the United States Capitol.
They show a new video of insurrection in the Capitol 5:10
CNN has reached out to a Trump spokesperson for comment.
Trump has previously denied any responsibility for the attack on the United States Capitol.
The 71-page lawsuit also contends that the defendants spread false claims of voter fraud and "incited violence against members of Congress and law enforcement officials whose job it was to protect them."
Among the defendants are alleged members of the far-right groups Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, who are now facing criminal charges for their alleged involvement in the riots.
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Last month, the police officers who defended the Capitol on January 6 testified during a hearing before the select committee of the House of Representatives investigating the events of that day.
Their accounts made it clear that they are still dealing with the physical and mental trauma of the attack.
"January 6 is not over for me": Cops testify about his mental health and lingering wounds from the Capitol attack
Earlier this year, two US Capitol police officers sued Trump for inciting the crowd and said they suffered physical and emotional harm because he allegedly "exacerbated, encouraged, incited (and) directed" the crowd. that broke into the Capitol.
Democratic lawmakers, including former House Speaker Eric Swalwell of California's former impeachment trial, have also sued Trump and his associates over the attack.
Thursday's lawsuit comes a few days after the U.S. Capitol Police Office of Professional Responsibility determined that the Capitol police officer who shot and killed a pro-Trump riot on January 6 will not face to any disciplinary action.
CNN's Marshall Cohen and Katelyn Polantz contributed to this report.
Assault on Capitol Donald Trump
