Former PresidentDonald Trumpwill reportedly not be able to claim immunity in a lawsuit that accuses him of civil rights violations in relation to the 2020 elections.
What Happened:U.S. District JudgeEmmet Sullivanin Washington ruled in late Novemberthat Trumps conduct was purely political in a case where the former leader claimed he was absolutely immune,reportedBloomberg.
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If former President Trump disrupted the certification of the electoral vote count, as Plaintiffs allege here, such actions would not constitute executive action in defense of the Constitution, said Sullivan, according to the report.
The plaintiffs theNational Association for the Advancement of Colored People(NAACP) andMichigan voters and advocates alleged that Trump and the Republican National Committee violated the federal Voting Rights Act and the Ku Klux Klan Act by conspiring to disenfranchise voters, intimidate election officials and undermine lawfully cast votes, Bloomberg reported.
Why It Matters:The case reportedly predates Jan.6 capitol riots. Judge Sullivan previously dismissed the Voting Rights Act claim, saying plaintiffs failed to show any alleged damage by Trump and RNC was ongoing.
The plaintiffs then asked to file an updated complaint with more information on Trumps continuing efforts to undermine the 2020 elections, which the judge said could go forward, reported Bloomberg.
This is alegal setback for Trump when it comes to claiming immunity. In August, District JudgeAmit Mehtadenied the former presidents attempts to dismiss three lawsuits brought by police officersinjured in the Jan. 6 insurrectionasserting his absolute immunity,reportedNBC.
This story was originally published on Nov. 28, 2022.
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