Former US President Donald Trump can be prosecuted for his actions in office, an appeals court has ruled. With the decision on Tuesday, the three judges in the District of Columbia rejected Trump’s request. Trump had argued that he enjoyed immunity from his time in the highest office of state – that he could not be prosecuted because the allegations were related to his official duties as head of state.
The lawsuits are related to the storming of the Capitol in 2020. Trump is accused of alleged calls for conspiracy and attempting to overturn the election results. There was initially no statement from Trump.
However, the question will probably only be finally clarified by the country’s highest court. The leading Republican presidential candidate can now appeal to the full chamber of the Court of Appeals and, if rejected again, to the Supreme Court. This would delay the process for weeks or months – possibly until after the election in early November.
If Trump were right with his arguments, this would potentially undermine other lawsuits against him.