More than 100 prisoners linked to the January 6 Capitol protests have banded together to file a monumental $50 billion class-action lawsuit against the Department of Justice (DOJ). The lawsuit, named the “January 6 Restitution and Wrongful Incarceration Lawsuit,” was spearheaded by Jake Lang, a prominent figure among January 6 prisoners who has been incarcerated for nearly four years.
The legal effort, coordinated by Lang’s organization, Federal Watchdog, will be represented by a team of seasoned conservative attorneys, including Steven Metcalf, Anthony Sabatini, Stephanie Lambert, and Jonathan Gross. The lawsuit alleges that the DOJ has engaged in a “two-tiered justice system,” targeting individuals who participated in the January 6 protests while providing inadequate legal representation, imposing excessive sentences, and subjecting prisoners to inhumane conditions.
According to Lang, the purpose of the lawsuit extends beyond financial restitution. “This isn’t just about restitution; it’s about setting a precedent. Weaponized government and lawfare against conservatives can never become the standard in America,” Lang said in a statement.
The plaintiffs describe their experiences as akin to being “hunted down like animals” for what they claim was peaceful protest at the Capitol. They argue that their harsh treatment underscores a systemic bias within the justice system, leading to significant physical and mental suffering during their incarceration.
Filing Set for Trump Inauguration Day
The lawsuit is scheduled to be officially filed on January 20, 2025, the day President-elect Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated for his second term. Trump has previously expressed strong support for the January 6 prisoners, promising to pardon many, if not all, of them once he takes office.
In a recent interview with NBC’s Kristin Welker, Trump reiterated his intention to act swiftly, saying, “These people have been there, how long is it, three or four years? By the way, they’ve been in there for years. And they’re in a filthy, disgusting place that shouldn’t even be allowed to be open.”
Trump has also criticized the Democrat-led House January 6 Committee, accusing members such as Rep. Adam Schiff and former Rep. Liz Cheney of manipulating evidence to unfairly target him and his supporters. He suggested that these actions warrant criminal prosecution, stating that they “should go to jail” for their roles in what he views as politically motivated attacks.
Seeking Accountability
The lawsuit’s proponents argue that the legal action is a necessary step to hold the DOJ accountable and prevent what they describe as political persecution from becoming normalized. As the lawsuit unfolds, it is likely to further polarize opinions surrounding the events of January 6, raising questions about justice, accountability, and the boundaries of governmental authority in politically charged cases.
Whether the courts will accept the claims or how they will respond remains uncertain, but the lawsuit has already drawn significant attention and could become a pivotal legal battle in the months ahead.
