Trump can be prosecuted for role in US Capitol riot, judge rules

DonaldTrumpcan beprosecutedfor hisrolein the attack on the USCapitolby his supporters, ajudgedecided Friday, ruling that the Republican does not enjoy presidential immunity in this case.

The former president is the target of several lawsuits by elected officials and police who accuse him of being directly responsible for the violence perpetrated by his supports when they stormed theCapitolon January 6, 2021.

Ajudgein Washington, DC, ruled that these complaints were admissible on the grounds thatTrump's actions that day were "unofficial acts" that "entirely concern his efforts to remain in office for a second term," which thejudgesaid does not fall within the scope of presidential immunity.

"To deny a President immunity from civil damages is no small step,"judgeAmit Mehta wrote in findings that ran to 112 pages. "The court well understands the gravity of its decision."

Thejudgealso saidTrump's speech to thousands of supporters gathered in Washington before the assault could "reasonably" be perceived as a "call for collective action."

Shortly afterTrumpaddressed his supporters, a crowd waving "TRUMP2020" flags marched down the Mall to the seat of the US Congress, with hundreds forcing their way into theCapitolbuilding.

At the same time,Trumptook to Twitter to criticize his vice president Mike Pence for not blocking certification of Joe Biden's election victory, an act thejudgesaid constituted "tacit agreement" with those who stormed theCapitol.

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The former president is the subject of three lawsuits accusing him of responsibility in theCapitolriot.

Hisroleon that day is also being examined by a House of Representatives select committee, which has in its possession hundreds of pages of documents, text messages and testimonies, some of which the head of the probe saidTrumphad sought to keep hidden.

The billionaire former president has slammed the investigation as a "witch hunt."