The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit brought by individuals who participated in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The plaintiffs, who were present at the Capitol grounds, had filed the suit under the Federal Tort Claims Act, alleging that they were subjected to excessive force by law enforcement officers during the event. They sought damages for injuries they claim to have sustained from chemical munitions, pepper spray, and physical strikes by police.
In its filing, the Justice Department argued that the lawsuit is legally barred because the plaintiffs failed to meet the required statute of limitations. Under the Federal Tort Claims Act, individuals generally have two years to bring a claim against the federal government for alleged injuries. The government noted that the events in question occurred on January 6, 2021, meaning the deadline for filing such claims expired on January 6, 2023.
The department pointed out that the named plaintiffs in this case did not submit their claims until July 2025, more than two years after the legal window had closed. Furthermore, the government stated that the forms submitted by the plaintiffs were incomplete, lacking necessary signatures and supporting documentation. The Justice Department maintains that because the plaintiffs were aware of their alleged injuries and the parties involved at the time, their failure to act within the established timeframe renders the current lawsuit invalid.
This legal development follows a period of significant debate regarding the handling of January 6 prosecutions and potential government compensation programs. While the administration previously explored the creation of an "anti-weaponization" fund to address claims of politically motivated prosecutions, that initiative was recently rescinded. As the court considers the motion to dismiss, the practical impact remains that the plaintiffs' attempt to secure damages through this specific legal channel faces a major procedural hurdle.