Court weighs lawsuit over January 6 riot by Congress members including Ohio’s
In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as President in Washington. Toledo Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur is among a group of U.S. Congress members who filed a civil suit against Trump for his role in a subsequent riot at the U.S. Capitol. (Evan Vucci, Associated Press file photo)AP
WASHINGTON, D. C. — Lawyers for former President Donald Trump and his allies on Monday asked a federal judge to dismiss lawsuits filed by plaintiffs, including U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, seeking damages from last year’s Capitol Hill riot that temporarily kept Congress from recording 2020 electoral votes that awarded the presidency to Democrat Joe Biden.
Trump’s lawyer, Jesse Binnall, said Trump urged participants at a Jan. 6, 2021 rally that happened before the riot to “peacefully and patriotically” make their voices heard and did not incite anyone to violence. He said Trump’s expression of dissatisfaction with how the election was conducted was done as part of his presidential job of making sure laws are faithfully executed. Trump should be immune from lawsuits because he was acting in his official capacity, just as judges and prosecutors are immune from civil lawsuits filed over their official conduct, Binnall said.
Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.
Read More: Court weighs lawsuit over January 6 riot by Congress members including Ohio’s