The Justice Department is seeking to dismiss a class action lawsuit filed by January 6 defendants, citing expired statute of limitations. The lawsuit, brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act, alleges excessive police force during the riot.
The plaintiffs, who claim to have been injured on January 6, 2021, submitted incomplete forms and failed to meet deadlines, according to the Justice Department. The department argues that the plaintiffs had until January 6, 2023, to sue the federal government, but the earliest claim was filed on July 29, 2025, well beyond the two-year limit.
January 6 Lawsuit
The Justice Department’s move to dismiss the lawsuit is based on the plaintiffs’ failure to timely file administrative claims with the agency. The plaintiffs’ claims are “forever barred” due to this failure, according to the department. The lawsuit is one of several related to the January 6 riot, which resulted in injuries and property damage.
The Justice Department’s decision comes as Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued an order rescinding a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. However, this order does not affect potential government payouts to convicted January 6 rioters. A former Justice Department lawyer noted that Blanche’s decision has no legal effect and does not prevent the fund from being revived in the future.
Implications and Next Steps
The dismissal of the lawsuit, if granted, would mean that the plaintiffs would be unable to seek compensation from the federal government for their alleged injuries. The Justice Department’s decision highlights the importance of meeting deadlines and following procedures in filing lawsuits against the government.
The January 6 riot and its aftermath continue to have significant implications for the country, with ongoing lawsuits, investigations, and debates about government accountability and transparency. As the Justice Department seeks to dismiss the lawsuit, the broader significance of the case lies in its potential impact on the rights of individuals to seek redress for alleged government wrongdoing.
