Federal Judges Spend Two Hours Debating Donald Trump’s Immunity In 2021 Capitol Riot Lawsuits

Donald Trump could be granted immunity in three lawsuits stemming from the deadly January 6th, 2021, Capitol riot.

Three federal appellate judges in Washington, D.C., spent nearly two hours on Wednesday deciding whether or not Trump should be exonerated of culpability for the uprising that resulted in at least five fatalities. His attorney, Jesse Binnall, argued that presidential immunity should protect him from lawsuits, despite him telling angry rioters to “burn Congress down” after he lost the 2020 election to President Joe Biden.

Throughout the continued legal proceedings surrounding the Capitol attack, Trump has continued asserting his immunity on the basis that he was in office during the time, which would have granted him protections. However, given the magnitude and Trump directly playing a role by motivating his supporters to lash out against members of Congress, his previous requests were rejected. Joseph Sellers, the counsel for the plaintiffs, argued that Trump was not entitled to immunity due to his disruption of the peaceful transfer of power.

According to three lawsuits, the former reality star violated the Ku Klux Klan Act, which was put in place in 1871 to shield federal employees against plots to prevent them from carrying out their duties. This week, judges had a change of heart after Binnall argued that Trump’s comments to his supporters were not the cause of the insurrection. He believes that failing to grant total immunity will allow future presidents to be targeted for free speech.

In addition to being accused of egging on his loyal supporters, Trump faces a criminal investigation for failing to turn over valuable White House documents related to the event. Still, his role in the Capitol seizure did not deter him from running for president once more.