A federal judge ruled that President Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech was not an official act and is therefore not protected by immunity.
“The court assesses whether he has carried his burden to show he is cloaked with official acts immunity for the Ellipse Speech. He has not,” U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta wrote in the decision.
“President Trump does not dispute that he remained an office-seeker up to and on January 6. The President’s appearance at the Save America Rally, consistent with that status, involved almost no ‘trappings of an official function.’ No public funds were used to put on or promote the event,” the decision adds. “The White House did not tout the Ellipse Speech through its official website or social media channels beforehand, and it did not publish the President’s remarks afterwards. Nor did any executive branch agency. Further, the White House played no meaningful role in organizing or planning the Rally.”
“President Trump has not shown that the Speech reasonably can be understood as falling within the outer perimeter of his Presidential duties,” the ruling declares.
The president’s legal team said in a statement obtained by The Hill that the case represents “another meritless Democrat Hoax.”
“The facts show that on January 6, 2021, President Trump was acting on behalf of the American people, carrying out his official duties as President of the United States. Moreover, the President’s strong statement that his supporters ‘peacefully and patriotically make (their) voices heard,’ along with myriad other peace – promoting statements, prove that these cases are just another meritless Democrat Hoax,” the legal team said, adding, “President Trump will continue to fight back against the Democrat Witch Hoaxes and keep delivering historic results for the American People.”
