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

The former president is the target of several lawsuits by elected officials and police who accuse him of being directly responsible for deaths, violence

Donald Trump, the president at the time, speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as president in Washington on January 6, 2021. AP

A mob loyal to Mr Trump tries to break through a police barrier at the Capitol. AP

The mob waves pro-Trump flags in front of the Capitol building. AP

Riot police push back a crowd of rioters at the Capitol building. AFP

Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol building. AFP

Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump try to open a door of the US Capitol building as they riot in Washington. AP

US Capitol Police push back rioters trying to enter the US Capitol. AP

Police and rioters confront each other in the Rotunda of the Capitol. US Capitol Police via AP

Smoke fills the hallway outside the Senate chamber of the Capitol. AP

Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump breach the Capitol in Washington. AP

Trump supporters, including Doug Jensen, centre, confront US Capitol Police in the hallway outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol. AP

Newly installed razor wire tops the fence surrounding the US Capitol following the January 6 riot. Reuters

Security agents and members of Congress barricade the door to the House chamber as the violent mob breaches the Capitol. AP

Rioter Jacob Chansley holds a sign referencing QAnon as supporters of Mr Trump gather to protest the early results of the 2020 presidential election. Reuters

Donald Trump can be prosecuted for his role in the attack on the US Capitol by his supporters, a judge decided 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 the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Alan William Byerly, right, is seen allegedly attacking an Associated Press photographer during a riot at the US Capitol in Washington. AP

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

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

The judge also said Trump's speech to thousands of supporters gathered in Washington before the assault could "reasonably" be perceived as a "call for collective action".

Shortly after Mr Trump addressed his supporters, a crowd waving "TRUMP 2020" flags marched down the Mall to the seat of the US Congress, with hundreds forcing their way into the Capitol building.

At the same time, Mr Trump took to Twitter to criticize his vice president Mike Pence for not blocking certification of Joe Biden's election victory, an act the judge said constituted "tacit agreement" with those who stormed the Capitol.

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

His role on 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 said Trump had sought to keep hidden.