Trump Isn't Immune From Jan. 6 Lawsuits, Judge Rules

A federal judge ruled Tuesday that President Trump can be sued over his conduct surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, rejecting his claim of broad civil immunity for key actions after the 2020 election. US District Judge Amit Mehta found that Trump's speech at the "Stop the Steal" rally near the White House that day was not part of his official presidential duties and therefore not shielded by the Supreme Court's 2024 ruling that granted former presidents immunity for core official acts, the Hill reports.

Mehta wrote that Trump had not shown he was "cloaked with official acts immunity," noting that the event was organized and staffed largely by campaign or political allies, involved no public funds, and was not promoted or archived through official White House channels. The Washington judge also ruled that Trump's phone call pressing Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find" enough votes to overturn Joe Biden's win in the state was an attempt by "an office-seeker" to change an election result, not an exercise of presidential authority. By contrast, Mehta said a separate Trump call to Michigan lawmakers fell within his protected official functions.

The case consolidates seven lawsuits filed by Democratic lawmakers and Capitol Police officers who argue Trump should be held liable for encouraging the crowd that later stormed the Capitol. While Mehta's decision allows those civil claims to move forward, it also permits Trump to pursue appeals on several issues. The 79-page ruling sets the stage for a possible civil trial in the same courthouse where Trump was charged with crimes for his Jan. 6 conduct, per the AP, before his 2024 election ended the prosecution.