Trump isn't immune from civil claims that his Jan. 6 rally speech incited riot, judge rules

A federal judge ruled that President Trump is not protected by presidential immunity from civil claims that his January 6 rally speech incited the Capitol riot, allowing a lawsuit to proceed toward trial. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta determined that Trump's speech is not shielded by the broad immunity protections the Supreme Court extended to presidents in official acts. The ruling clears a significant legal hurdle for civil plaintiffs suing over the riot and its consequences, though Trump can appeal the immunity decision. This marks one of several legal fronts where Trump faces civil liability related to January 6 events. The decision now moves the case closer to a possible trial on the underlying merits of whether Trump's speech directly incited violence.