US Edition
Trump not immune from civil claims from Jan. 6 speech, judge rules
Mehta said Trump’s rally remarks were political, leaving him exposed to civil claims from lawmakers and officers after more than 100 police were injured.
- On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled President Donald Trump is not immune from civil claims regarding his January 6, 2021, "Stop the Steal" rally speech, determining the remarks plausibly constitute inciting words unprotected by the First Amendment.
- Rep. Bennie Thompson and other Democratic members of Congress originally filed the litigation, arguing Trump acted as an office-seeker rather than in his official capacity; his legal team countered that his conduct meets the threshold for presidential immunity.
- Mehta noted that Trump's speech at the Ellipse was political in nature, writing that it cannot "reasonably be understood as falling within the outer perimeter of his Presidential duties." Trump had urged supporters to "fight like hell."
- Damon Hewitt, president of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, praised the ruling as a "monumental victory for the rule of law." Attorney Joseph Sellers added the decision paves the way for a potential civil trial.
- While this ruling sets the stage for a civil trial, Mehta emphasized it is not a final pronouncement and remains subject to appeal. The judge applied a more "rigorous" legal standard at this later litigation stage.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Obama Judge OKs Lawsuits Against Trump for His "Inciting Words" on J6
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, appointed by Barack Obama, ruled Tuesday that Trump’s remarks at his Stop the Steal rally plausibly were inciting words that were not protected by the 1st amendment right to speech. He said he is not shielded from liability for his conduct and many of his social media posts that day. He agreed that he cannot be held liable for his official acts that day “President Trump has not shown that the Speech reasonably can…
Foreign-Born Obama Judge Rules Trump Can Face Civil Claims Over Alleged Incitement on January 6.
PULSE POINTSWHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge ruled that President Donald J. Trump is not immune from civil claims related to the January 6 Capitol riot, stating his remarks at the “Stop the Steal” rally plausibly incited violence.WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta, Democratic members of Congress, law enforcement officers, and plaintiffs, including Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS).WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was …
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