DOJ seeks to shield Trump from civil Jan. 6 lawsuits

The Justice Department moved Thursday to shield President Donald Trump from a series of civil lawsuits brought by police officers injured during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, arguing he acted in his official capacity as president and should be immune from personal liability.

In a new court filing, DOJ lawyers invoked the Federal Tort Claims Act to substitute the United States for Trump as the defendant in several consolidated civil cases pending before U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta. Plaintiffs allege Trump incited violence through his words and actions, which they say led to injuries and trauma during the 2021 Capitol breach.