Federal judge rules that Trump can be sued over the Capitol riot and does not have absolute immunity

A federal judge ruled on Friday that Donald Trump can be held liable for the deadly Capitol riot in January of 2021.

The US District Judge wrote that the speech before his supporters can be seen as a call for collective action. He pointed to specific statements in which Trump used the word.

• "We will not take it anymore."
• "We will stop the steal."
• "We will never give up."
• "We will never concede."
• "All Mike Pence has to do is send it back to the states to recertify, and we become president."
• "We're going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue."

The President and rally-goers would be acting together toward a common goal if the word "we" was used repeatedly.

Three lawsuits were brought against Trump by Democratic lawmakers and Capitol Police officers who defended the building on January 6.

The judge ruled on Friday that Trump can be held accountable for his actions and statements related to the Capitol riot. Mehta acknowledged the import of his decision but noted that the events of January 6 were unprecedented.

The ruling said that denying President immunity from civil damages is no small step. The alleged facts of this case are not precedent.

The President's actions here do not relate to his duties of faithfully executing the laws, conducting foreign affairs, commanding the armed forces, or managing the Executive Branch. They are concerned about his efforts to stay in office for a second term. The separation-of-powers concerns that justify the President's broad immunity are not present here.