Judge dismisses Trump's 'immunity' claim in Jan. 6 lawsuits
A federal judge denied former President Donald Trump's bid to dismiss three lawsuits brought against him by several police officers injured in the Jan. 6 riot.
A federal judge on Tuesday denied former President Donald Trump's bid to dismiss three lawsuits brought by police officers injured in the Jan. 6 riot, rejecting his assertion that he is "absolutely immune" from the claims.
The lawsuits, brought on behalf of four U.S. Capitol Police officers, seek to hold Trump liable for emotional and physical injuries they sustained when a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol and disrupted the electoral vote count.
“In nearly identically worded motions, President Trump has moved to dismiss all three actions on one ground: he is absolutely immune from suit because the acts complained of fall within the 'outer perimeter' of his presidential responsibilities,” U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta wrote in his brief ruling.
Trump lawyers press claim of legal immunity from Jan. 6 civil lawsuitsJuly 28, 202202:11The judge noted that he had rejected similar arguments by Trump in other Jan. 6 lawsuits this year. "The court does so again," Mehta wrote.
The earlier ruling held that Trump’s alleged actions in provoking the riot “entirely concern[ed] his efforts to remain in office for a second term” and did "not fall within the 'outer perimeter' of a president’s official responsibilities," a finding Mehta reiterated Tuesday.
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