Former policeman who struck officer in US Capitol attack pleads self-defence

Thomas Webster, formerly with New York Police Department, also used flag as weapon against officer

Donald Trump, the president at the time, speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as president in Washington on January 6, 2021. AP

A mob loyal to Mr Trump tries to break through a police barrier at the Capitol. AP

The mob waves pro-Trump flags in front of the Capitol building. AP

Riot police push back a crowd of rioters at the Capitol building. AFP

Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol building. AFP

Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump try to open a door of the US Capitol building as they riot in Washington. AP

US Capitol Police push back rioters trying to enter the US Capitol. AP

Police and rioters confront each other in the Rotunda of the Capitol. US Capitol Police via AP

Smoke fills the hallway outside the Senate chamber of the Capitol. AP

Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump breach the Capitol in Washington. AP

Trump supporters, including Doug Jensen, centre, confront US Capitol Police in the hallway outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol. AP

Newly installed razor wire tops the fence surrounding the US Capitol following the January 6 riot. Reuters

Security agents and members of Congress barricade the door to the House chamber as the violent mob breaches the Capitol. AP

Rioter Jacob Chansley holds a sign referencing QAnon as supporters of Mr Trump gather to protest the early results of the 2020 presidential election. Reuters

A retired New York City policeman charged with assault in the US Capitol riot testified on Thursday that he was acting in self-defence when he struck a Washington officer with a flag stick and tackled him.

Thomas Webster, 56, testified that he drove to Washington to join a peaceful protest by supporters of then-president Donald Trump.

Mr Webster is trying to become the first participant in the January 6 riot to secure an acquittal in a jury trial.

"That officer incited me," he told jurors when asked why he struck a Washington Metropolitan Police officer.

"I felt like I was dealing with a rogue cop."

Mr Webster alleged the officer had escalated the situation by punching him in the face.

Of the four accused Capitol rioters to face a jury so far, Mr Webster is the first to claim he was acting in self-defence.

He served in the US Marine Corps before spending about 20 years with the New York Police Department.

Prosecutors have rejected Mr Webster's defence and portrayed the District of Columbia police officer, Noah Rathbun, as the victim in the altercation.

Prosecutors said Mr Rathbun made physical contact with Mr Webster to create distance between the two men, who were on opposite sides of a police barricade eventually overrun by Trump supporters.

US District Judge Amit Mehta has expressed scepticism at Mr Webster's self-defence claim.

"You were a police officer. You should know better," the judge said during a court hearing in June.

About 800 people are charged with a role in the Capitol riot, which disrupted a joint session of Congress that was to certify Joe Biden's presidential election victory, and sent legislators scrambling for safety.

About 250 have pleaded guilty so far.

Prosecutors have obtained convictions in all three jury trials so far, but have had a mixed record in trials decided by judges.