A group of current and former Seattle police officers, who participated in the “Stop the Steal” rally led by President Donald Trump on January 6, 2021, are appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court to maintain their anonymity in public court records. The officers have filed their lawsuit under the pseudonym “John Doe,” contesting the decision to publicly disclose their identities in connection with the investigation into their actions during the Capitol unrest.
Earlier this year, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that these officers could be identified, asserting that they had not demonstrated how the public release of their names would infringe upon their right to privacy. Following the court’s denial to reconsider this ruling, the attorneys representing the four officers submitted a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, requesting that their identities remain confidential throughout the ongoing legal proceedings.
The officers argue that they are protected under Washington’s public records law and maintain they did not engage in any misconduct. They assert that disclosing their names could infringe on their privacy and discourage individuals from expressing dissenting viewpoints.
Investigations revealed that two of the officers, Caitlin and Alexander Everett, breached barriers set by Capitol police and approached the Capitol Building, leading to their termination by Chief Diaz. However, the inquiry concluded that three other officers did not violate any policies, while the fourth case was deemed “inconclusive.”
The push for transparency began when Sam Sueoka, a law student at the time, filed requests for records related to the investigation of the officers involved. The petition to the Supreme Court argues that requiring the officers to reveal their true identities could create a chilling effect on the freedom to express unpopular opinions. A response to the petition is expected by next Friday.
