Legal Setback for Trump in Capitol Attack Lawsuits
Former President Donald Trump faced a setback in his legal battles Thursday as a U.S. District Judge denied his lawyers’ request to pause civil lawsuits accusing him of inciting the U.S. Capitol attack. This decision comes as Trump fights a criminal case related to the 2020 election interference in Washington.
Latest Legal Setback for the Former President
Judge Amit Mehta rejected the defense lawyers’ plea to halt the civil cases seeking to hold Trump accountable for the January 6th riot while the criminal case accusing him of conspiring to overturn the election results plays out. This ruling marks another legal blow for Trump.
Challenges Mount for the Presumptive Republican Presidential Nominee
The lawsuits filed by Democratic lawmakers and Capitol police officers seek civil damages for the harm they allegedly suffered during the Capitol attack. Their aim is to seek accountability for the violence that occurred while Congress was certifying President Joe Biden’s victory.
Ongoing Legal Battles for Trump
Trump, who is also facing a criminal trial in a separate case related to hush money payments made during the 2016 campaign, has maintained that he cannot be sued over the Capitol riot. He argues that his words before the storming of the Capitol were protected by presidential immunity.
Court’s Ruling and Future Proceedings
Despite Trump’s claims, Washington’s federal appeals court ruled in December that the civil lawsuits can proceed, rejecting the notion of absolute presidential immunity shielding him from liability. The court allowed Trump to continue challenging the allegations during the ongoing legal process.
Legal Strategy and Fairness Concerns
In an effort to delay the civil cases, Trump’s lawyers argued that pausing them until after the resolution of the criminal case would ensure fairness to the defendant. They expressed concerns about prematurely revealing defense strategies in court filings.
Judge’s Decision and Future Supreme Court Hearing
Judge Mehta, acknowledging the public interest in resolving both the civil and criminal cases promptly, decided against halting the lawsuits. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments next week on Trump’s claim of immunity from criminal prosecution in the election interference case, which will have significant implications for his legal challenges.
Alanna Durkin Richer, The Associated Press
Read More of this Story at ca.news.yahoo.com – 2024-05-18 20:21:20
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