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Congressman sues gov’t over post-J6 Capitol Police actions
A congressman from Texas is suing the federal government for $2.5 million over the “unlawful harassment” he faced following the Jan. 6, 2021, protests and riots at the Capitol.
Rep Troy Nehls, R-Texas, charges that a Capitol police officer forced his way into Nehls’ congressional office without consent, then photographed materials in the room, including a whiteboard with a discussion of proposed firearms legislation.
Then the authorities followed up with an investigation by other officers.
Significant is the claim that the police violated the Speech and Debate Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which provides vast protections for members of Congress doing their duties.
The first count charges “intrusion on privacy,” for the entry of the officer into the congressman’s private office and taking pictures.
NEW: A House Republican is suing the federal government for $2.5 million, claiming he was retaliated against by the Capitol Police four years ago for his vocal criticism of the department’s leadership after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack.
Rep. Troy Nehls’ unusual lawsuit, filed in… pic.twitter.com/R7WC1aM87E
— Melissa Hallman (@dotconnectinga) April 11, 2025
Rep. Roy Nehls Sues Capitol Police Over Harassment He Faced After January 6th — Seeking $2.5 Million in Damages
READ: https://t.co/xsYoGsrbfG pic.twitter.com/Fc6OLMTHEe
— The Gateway Pundit (@gatewaypundit) April 11, 2025
“As a direct result of the exposure of his notes, his notes were photographed, and he was subjected to a criminal investigation. His reputation was impaired. He became concerned that he had been spied upon and that it could happen again to him. He suffered indignity and mental and emotional distress,” the complaint, filed in Texas, charges.
Then there is the “publication of private facts,” which the police, while doing that, violated the Speech and Debate Clause the First Amendment, and the Fourth Amendment.
The third charge involves trespass, as the officers physically entered Nehls’ congressional office without consent.
“This wrongfully interfered with the congressman’s possessory interests and deprived him of the use, enjoyment, and privacy of his office. The Congressman suffered indignity and was deeply offended by the audacity of a police officer’s trespass on his private congressional office,” the filing said.
Finally is the police violation of constitutional rights.
Police “lacked probably cause or a reasonable suspicion to believe that the congressman was engaged in criminal activity,” the filing said.
Officers failed to obtain a search warrant, and actually lacked “lawful justification” for entering.
“The action of Officer [Kevin] Dias and treating the matter as a criminal investigation was a form of retaliation for the congressman’s exercise of free speech and outspoken criticism of the Capitol Police,” the case charges.
The filing charges that police actually claimed that the door to Nehls’ office was “wide open” when the facts reveal it was not.
Building managers said the door could not have remained open due to automatic closing systems.