WASHINGTON – Donald Trump’s lawyers asked a judge Tuesday night to stay proceedings in various civil cases seeking to hold the former president accountable for damages caused by the Jan. 6 riots. to avoid the legal consequences of their actions While running for the White House again after his defeat in the 2020 election.
This petition was filed in connection with the claim of the Democratic members of Congress. Trump’s lawyers asked the judge to stay the case, citing an ongoing criminal case against Trump in Washington, D.C., related to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Next month, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Trump’s claims.absolute immunityThat could determine whether the prosecution brought by special counsel Jack Smith can move forward.
“President Trump should not be forced to waive any of his constitutional rights in this matter and should not prematurely telegraph criminal defense strategies before competing criminal proceedings.” he wrote lawyer David Warrington. “The only way to adequately protect against this prejudice to his legal standing is to stay these proceedings against President Trump pending resolution of the Special Counsel’s DC case, as is common practice for other defendants facing similar situations.”
Warrington noted that stays are routinely granted in civil cases where the defendant faces criminal prosecution for the same conduct. One such case involves two of Trump’s January 6 criminal defendants. Taylor Taranto and David Walls-Kaufman, was sued by the widow of officer Jeffrey Smith, who died by suicide after the January 6 attack. That lawsuit was dropped while Walls-Kaufman faced criminal charges; he admitted to “fighting” with officers at the Capitol was convicted Sentenced to 60 days in jail in June 2023. Taranto also faces criminal charges. In addition to his alleged actions on January 6, Taranto was arrested outside Barack Obama’s home in Washington, D.C., with a gun and ammunition inside his car.
If Trump’s request to remain in the country is granted, he will not be required to appear in any of the civil cases against him until the special counsel’s prosecution is resolved. He is also being sued by the US Capitol Police and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police.
If Trump is elected president, then he will be immune from the civil lawsuits scheduled for Jan. 6, meaning the civil cases could be dropped. Before them reverse course Last year, the Justice Department previously took a stand defending Trump from a civil suit filed by E. Jean Carroll, which he eventually won. $83 million defamation judgment Against Trump in January 2024.