A 2020 lawsuit accusing failed former president Donald Trump of illegally clearing racial injustice protesters at Lafayette Square Park with tear gas is back on the docket. It could result in “ghosts” from the disgraced ex-president’s past coming back to haunt him as he seeks a second term in office, according to a report from Law & Crime.
The lawsuit, Buchanan v. Trump, would impose damages on Trump and members of his administration such as former Attorney General Bill Barr, who had been ruled immune from prosecution because they were acting in their official capacity.
Now, however, an amended complaint has been approved by a judge.
“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.”
The suit is expected to be filed by mid-April, according to attorneys for the plaintiffs.
“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,” Lee Crain, a partner at Gibson Dunn, said.
With the United States Supreme Court scheduled to rule if Trump has immunity from any actions he took while serving as head of state, the Buchanan lawsuit could result in more skeletons exiting the proverbial closet, exposing him as a would-be dictator who cannot stand criticism. It could also convince undecided voters that a vote for Trump would result in him imposing a totalitarian state that would prohibit all dissent.
“Based on the original claims, the new lawsuit is expected to reflect similarly and pursue him in his personal capacity for the distress he caused. Whether he stays on as a named defendant, with his personal presence over Lafayette Square looming so large that June, it is likely he would be asked to testify in proceedings regardless.”
So even if Trump is ruled immune as a defendant, he would likely be forced to testify during a presidential campaign that already shows him falling behind in fundraising and the polls. His actions on that day in Lafayette Square could wind up costing him the election. That would be both fitting and ironic for the wannabe dictator.
