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Jimmy Williams
A federal appeals court has given the green light for a lawsuit filed by a group of U.S. Capitol Police officers against former President Donald Trump to move forward. The lawsuit centers on Trump’s alleged actions during the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.
The three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that Trump does not have absolute immunity from civil lawsuits. This decision is based on a recent ruling in a separate case involving two Capitol Police officers and a group of House Democrats.
The court rejected Trump’s claim that his alleged actions related to the January 6 attack fall within the official functions of the presidency, stating that Trump’s argument for immunity “fails.” The case, brought by seven Capitol Police officers who defended the Capitol during the riot, accuses Trump and others, including members of extremist groups and Trump ally Roger Stone, of unlawful actions that led to physical and emotional injuries.
Trump sought to dismiss the case, asserting absolute immunity, but U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta had earlier allowed it to proceed. The D.C. Circuit upheld the lower court’s finding, stating that campaigning for re-election is not an official act of the presidency.
This decision comes as Trump faces multiple legal challenges, including a criminal case in Washington, D.C., related to his efforts to influence the transfer of presidential power after the 2020 election. Trump’s plea for immunity from federal prosecution for actions during his tenure in the White House was recently rejected by a federal district judge, and the D.C. Circuit is set to hear arguments on this matter in January. Trump can potentially seek further review of these rulings in higher courts.
