WASHINGTON, DC – On news today that the D.C. Circuit rejected President Trump’s claim that he is entitled to absolute presidential immunity from damages liability for allegedly inciting a riot at the U.S. Capitol, Constitutional Accountability Center Chief Counsel Brianne Gorod issued the following reaction:

President Trump’s claims in this case were an effort to dramatically expand the scope of absolute presidential immunity, and the D.C. Circuit was right to reject that effort. Echoing arguments made in our amicus brief on behalf of law professors, the court rightly recognized that a president is not entitled to absolute immunity for actions he takes as an “officer-seeker,” rather than as an “office-holder.” Any other result would have wrongly put the president above the law.

Constitutional Accountability Center Vice President Praveen Fernandes continued:

Today’s decision allows important claims made by law enforcement officers and others harmed by the devastating events of January 6th to go forward. This is a key step toward ensuring accountability for the actions that led to the January 6th insurrection, and it is important reaffirmation that no one, including the president, is above the law.

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Resources:

Case page in Blassingame v. Trump: https://www.theusconstitution.org/litigation/blassingame-v-trump-2/

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Constitutional Accountability Center is a nonpartisan think tank and public interest law firm dedicated to fulfilling the progressive promise of the Constitution’s text, history, and values. Visit CAC’s website at www.theusconstitution.org.

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