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Trump not immune from civil claims from Jan. 6 speech, judge rules
Judge said Trump’s Ellipse speech and many posts were unofficial acts, clearing the way for a possible civil trial over Jan. 6 claims.
- 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.
51 Articles
51 Articles
Judge Denies Immunity for President Trump Speech
A federal judge ruled that President Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech was not an official act and is therefore not protected by immunity. “The court assesses whether he has carried his burden to show he is cloaked with official acts immunity for the Ellipse Speech. He has not,” U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta wrote in the decision. “President Trump does not dispute that he remained an office-seeker up to and on January 6. The President’s appearanc…
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…
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n1info.rsUS President Donald Trump is not immune from civil lawsuits that he incited a crowd of his supporters to attack the Capitol on January 6, 2021, US federal judge Amit Mehta ruled.
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