Ohio couple sues over removal from Trump rally, seeking $30 million

The plaintiffs, identified as John and Jane Doe, claim the defendants violated their constitutional rights against unreasonable search and seizure and infringed upon their First Amendment right to free speech, as well as alleging assault and battery. The incident occurred at the Covelli Centre during a rally featuring President Donald Trump.

According to the complaint, John Doe disrupted a speech by Husted by voicing his opposition to congressional actions related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, shouting “Pedophile protector!” Jane Doe reportedly joined her husband in expressing dissent.

Security personnel and law enforcement then moved to remove the couple. The lawsuit alleges an officer violently grabbed John Doe’s head and neck, slamming him to the ground, breaking his glasses and damaging his cell phone. He was then “dragged” from the facility.

Jane Doe claims she was also “assaulted and violently” removed when she attempted to intervene. The complaint states Husted continued his remarks from the podium without requesting a pause in the removal process.

The couple alleges security and law enforcement staff verbally attacked them during the removal and that they received inadequate medical attention afterward. John Doe has been diagnosed with a head injury and cervical sprain, and both plaintiffs claim to have suffered severe physical and mental harm.

Following the rally, the couple filed incident reports with the East Canton Police Department.

The lawsuit, assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Benita Pearson, requests injunctions, $5 million in compensatory damages, $25 million in punitive damages, and reimbursement for legal costs.

Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene defended his staff’s actions in a statement to WFMJ, expressing confidence that they acted appropriately and would not be making further comment due to ongoing litigation.

This incident follows another ejection from the same rally where deputies removed attendee Blake Miley, who was revealed to be wearing a shirt reading “Release the Epstein files.” Miley is being represented by civil rights attorney Subodh Chandra, though a lawsuit has not yet been filed.