Trump can be sued for Capitol riot, court rules | 1 Dec 2023 | Former U.S. President Donald Trump is not immune from being sued over his alleged role in instigating the January 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill, an appeals court in Washington, D.C., ruled on Friday. Democrats and Capitol Police officers took legal action against Trump in the wake of the violent protest. In a unanimous verdict, the court rejected Trump's argument that "presidential immunity" forbids him from being held liable for the events of that day, which took place while he was still in power. In a speech to his supporters before the riot, Trump told them to "fight like hell" against his election loss [sic], but to do so "peacefully and patriotically."