Democrat sues Trump over US Capitol riot

US Democrat Representative Eric Swalwell is suing former president Donald Trump, Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani and others over the storming of the US Capitol on January 6.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington DC, alleges that the deadly attack was a "direct and foreseeable consequence" of unlawful actions by Trump, Giuliani, Trump's eldest son Donald Trump Jr, Republican Congressman Mo Brooks and others.

"As such, the defendants are responsible for the injury and destruction that followed," Swalwell said.

Swalwell's lawsuit alleges Trump and his allies broke a US law that prohibits conspiracies to violate civil rights.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages against the defendants, including punitive damages.

Swalwell was one of the impeachment managers who last month attempted to persuade the US Senate to block Trump from holding the office of president again, saying Trump incited the violence.

The Senate, though, voted to acquit Trump.

Swalwell is the second Democrat lawmaker after Representative Bennie Thompson to sue Trump over the riots.