The Department of Justice asked to remove President Donald Trump as a defendant in lawsuits related to Jan. 6, 2021, and replace him with the U.S. government—a move that could protect him from civil lawsuits from police and lawmakers trying to hold him accountable for the riot.
President Donald Trump speaks during an event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, ... More
The Justice Department argued Trump was “acting in the scope of office or employment at the time of the incidents” on Jan. 6, and referenced a federal law that states if federal employees are sued for something done in their official capacity, the federal government is actually the defendant.
The Justice Department filed the request late Thursday night, the New York Times reported, a maneuver that could protect Trump from having to pay fines if he was found liable for the violence of the riot.
The change, if approved by a judge, would only apply to civil lawsuits made locally in Washington, D.C.
This story is developing and will be updated.
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On Friday, Trump separately said the violence and vandalism against Tesla dealerships, vehicles and charging stations was worse than what happened on Jan. 6. “When I looked at those showrooms burning and those cars—not one or two, like seven, eight, 10, burning, exploding all over the place. These are terrorists,” Trump said, according to The Washington Post, adding: “You didn’t have anything like that on January 6th.”
US Justice Department moves to protect Trump from January 6 lawsuits (Reuters)
Justice Dept. Tries to Intervene on Trump’s Behalf in Jan. 6 Lawsuits (New York Times)