Democratic members of Congress are still moving to hold former President Donald Trump and other Republican lawmakers accountable for embracing the election lies that led to the deadly failed insurrection against the United States Capitol on January 6.
Sadly, most congressional Republicans have fought efforts to get to the bottom of the siege. They acquitted Trump in his second Senate impeachment trial and, more recently, they blocked a bipartisan commission to investigate the Capitol Riots.
Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell of California filed a civil suit back in March against former President Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, and Republican Congressman Mo Brooks of Alabama in an effort to hold them accountable for inciting an insurrection with their election fantasies.
But Brooks has proven too elusive to be served with the lawsuit, rejecting calls and emails, as well as evading officials looking to formally notify him.
Swalwell's attorneys even said they'd been forced to hire a private investigator to track Brooks down, writing in court documents:
"Plaintiff had to engage the services of a private investigator to attempt to serve Brooks personally — a difficult feat under normal circumstances that has been complicated further in the wake of the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol that Defendants incited."
Citing separation of powers concerns, Judge Amit Mehta won't permit U.S. Marshals to serve Brooks with the lawsuit, but did give Swalwell's team another 60 days to track him down.
Last month, Brooks railed against the accountability effort on Twitter.
What an absolute joke. It\u2019s truly pathetic to see a United States Congressman suing another Congressman for \u201cemotional distress\u201d and the Fake News Media lapping it up. Swalwell should be ashamed of himself. We need leadership with a backbone in Washington!pic.twitter.com/TrexwcpEcM— Mo Brooks - Endorsed By President Trump \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Mo Brooks - Endorsed By President Trump \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1621605603
But if the suit is so ridiculous, why is he afraid to face it in court?
None of this this necessary unless you have something to hide.https://twitter.com/hugolowell/status/1400243128934842368\u00a0\u2026— Jon Cryer (@Jon Cryer) 1622734669
It's not a good look when a state representative like "Mo Brooks" who claims to be law abiding and tough on crime is on the run attempting to avoid a lawsuit from Eric Swalwell.https://twitter.com/hugolowell/status/1400243128934842368\u00a0\u2026— \ud83c\udd32\ud83c\udd38\ud83c\udd3d\ud83c\udd33\ud83c\udd48 (@\ud83c\udd32\ud83c\udd38\ud83c\udd3d\ud83c\udd33\ud83c\udd48) 1622686669
Seems a little like admission of guilthttps://twitter.com/hugolowell/status/1400243128934842368\u00a0\u2026— Wendy (@Wendy) 1622740420
Hmmmm wonder why?https://twitter.com/hugolowell/status/1400243128934842368\u00a0\u2026— Christopher Stout \ud83d\ude37\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udf0a\u270a\u2764\ufe0f\ud83d\udc99\ud83c\udf0a\ud83d\udc36 (@Christopher Stout \ud83d\ude37\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udf0a\u270a\u2764\ufe0f\ud83d\udc99\ud83c\udf0a\ud83d\udc36) 1622727152
What a weird way for a completely innocent & transparent person to behave. Go get @MoBrooks, my #DemCrush! @RepSwalwellhttps://twitter.com/hugolowell/status/1400243128934842368\u00a0\u2026— Tara Dublin Is Vaccinated AF \ud83d\udc89 (@Tara Dublin Is Vaccinated AF \ud83d\udc89) 1622687700
If you have nothing to hide Mo Brooks, then why run? You obviously had no problem voicing your opinion beforehand - why are you embarrassed now?https://twitter.com/hugolowell/status/1400243128934842368\u00a0\u2026— Laurie j (@Laurie j) 1622720318
People suspect Brooks won't be able to evade the suit for much longer.
Brooks can run, but he can\u2019t hide.https://twitter.com/hugolowell/status/1400243128934842368\u00a0\u2026— Iowa COVID-19 Tracker: Sara Anne Willette (@Iowa COVID-19 Tracker: Sara Anne Willette) 1622738147
Ready or not here they comehttps://twitter.com/hugolowell/status/1400243128934842368\u00a0\u2026— Workingdad (@Workingdad) 1622739523
Keep at it! Get him served.https://twitter.com/hugolowell/status/1400243128934842368\u00a0\u2026— One of Twelve (@One of Twelve) 1622731267
To combat the bulwark against a Capitol Riots Commission, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is reportedly mulling the formation of a select congressional committee.
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