IN a unanimous verdict, the court rejected the argument of former President Donald Trump that presidential immunity forbids him from being held liable for what happened during the day of the riot, which took place while he was still in power.
To recall, in a speech to his supporters before the January 6 riot, Trump told them to ‘fight like hell’ against his loss in the presidential elections but to do so ‘peacefully and patriotically’.
Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan in the ruling wrote that “the president does not spend every minute of every day exercising official responsibilities”, and “when he acts in an unofficial, private capacity, he is subject to civil suits like any private citizen”.
The decision of the court paves way for other lawsuits against Trump to go ahead.
It can be noted that 3 lawsuits brought by democrat lawmakers and US Capitol police officers allege that Trump’s speech encouraged his supporters to storm the Capitol, and should pay damages.
Two officers injured during the Capitol riot are seeking a minimum of 75,000 dollars from Trump.
To recall, 4 people- all supporters of Trump, died during the protest.
Among them was US Air Force Veteran Ashli Babbit, who was shot dead by a Capitol police officer during a scuffle near the entrance to the House Chamber.
Trump, while currently the frontrunner of the Republican Party’s nomination for the 2024 elections, is facing multiple lawsuits filed against him.
Aside from the 3 civil lawsuits related to the Capital riot incident, Trump is also facing a legal battle against New York Attorney General Letitia James who sued him for allegedly trying to overturn President Joe Biden‘s 2020 election victory in the state.
Trump is also being sued in New York for alleged misreporting of hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.
