Rewritten Article:
Title: Trump Faces Legal Battle Over Capitol Melee
Now, former President Donald Trump is tangled in multiple lawsuits concerning the tumultuous Capitol incident in January 2021. After a group of his supporters stormed the Capitol, causing chaos and leaving innocent lives in ruin, the legal system is stepping in to hold Trump accountable.
A federal appellate court in Washington recently gave the green light to several civil lawsuits against the ex-president, rejecting his argument that his presidential office granted him absolute immunity from any legal repercussions. The ruling firmly stated that a president's duties don't involve every waking moment, and actions outside the scope of these duties do not automatically qualify for presidential immunity.
The litigation stemmed from two police officers, members of the Democratic Party, and several others who accused Trump of being partially responsible for the January 6, 2021, fury. They allege that the former president incited and played a role in the violent event, and seek compensation for the damage done.
Not a Presidential Duty
In the lead-up to the Capitol chaos, radical Trump supporters attempted to thwart Democrat Joe Biden's confirmation as the 2020 presidential election winner. Prior to the attack, Trump urged his supporters to rally at the Capitol, proclaiming to "fight" and even used language deliberately inciting violence. Trump was impeached later and ousted from office, but his false claims of fraudulent election results persisted for weeks.
According to the federal court, Trump's election-related statements were not a part of his presidential responsibilities. The judges distinguished between official presidential duties and actions outside the scope of these duties, highlighting that a president's reelection campaign falls under the latter category. Consequently, Trump's defense of presidential immunity for all his pronouncements during his presidency did not stand ground.
Unconstitutional Incitement
The Department of Justice echoed the court's stance on Trump's immunity, asserting that while a president enjoys immunity for actions within the scope of their office, they can be held liable for actions clearly outside these duties. The DOJ cited "incitement to imminent private violence" as an example of actions not within a president's official responsibilities.
The legal battle is not only limited to civil proceedings regarding the Capitol storming. Trump is also fighting for immunity in criminal charges at the federal level, which accuse him of attempting to cling onto his power following the 2020 election loss. Special prosecutor Jack Smith, who brought charges against Trump in August, denies the ex-president's immunity claim, and a court decision is pending.
The aftermath of the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by Trump's radical followers sees the former US president facing multiple civil lawsuits, with allegations linking him to the incitement and violence during the failed attempt to thwart the election results.
