Ruling Could Doom Trump
Last Friday District Judge Amit Mehta ruled on three civil suits against Trump related to Jan. 6, allowing the cases to move forward.
The ruling by Judge Mehta creates important ripple effects on Trump's Jan. 6 investigation as the ruling allows the three plaintiffs to seek information on Trump's role in the Jan. 6 Insurrection. Despite Trump's lawyers arguing on the basis of presidential immunity as well as his First Amendment right, Judge Mehta writes that Trump addressed the crowd not with presidential, but personal matters, and that the president's history of stoking "distrust and anger" made his event more than a speech but also a "call to action".
Rioters at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. A federal judge wrote on Friday that former President Donald J. Trump had helped create an “air of distrust and anger” through his claims that the election had been stolen. Credit: Jason Andrew for The New York Times
Judge Allows Civil Suits to Proceed Against Trump Over Jan. 6, New York Times | 2/18/2022
By Alan Feuer and Luke Broadwater
In his decision, Judge Mehta writes, "To deny a president immunity from civil damages is no small step. The court well understands the gravity of its decision. But the alleged facts of this case are without precedent.” Additionally, the judge notes that Trump's close ally, Roger Stone, may have been the link between the extremist groups and the president.
Video: Judge Rejects Trump Effort To Dismiss Jan. 6 Lawsuits, MSNBC | 2/18/2022
Pete Williams explains that the civil suits against Trump have cleared a huge hurdle with parts of the suits moving forward, although some counts have been dismissed.
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