Trump Forgoes Supreme Court Appeal on Jan. 6 Police Immunity Claim

Former President Donald Trump has chosen not to pursue an appeal to the Supreme Court regarding the rejection of his broad immunity claim related to lawsuits that accuse him of contributing to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. This decision allows three civil lawsuits to move forward in the district court, including one led by Capitol Police officer James Blassingame, who sustained injuries during the riot. While Trump's legal team has foregone an appeal at this juncture, the appellate court has indicated that Trump may assert immunity defenses again at later stages of the legal proceedings.

This development is one aspect of the legal challenges Trump faces, as he is also involved in three appeals before the high court on different matters, including a case about his potential removal from the Colorado Republican primary ballot and a separate case regarding presidential immunity from criminal prosecution. The lawsuits in question are civil in nature and distinct from the criminal case overseen by special counsel Jack Smith, which concerns Trump's actions on the same day as the Capitol breach. Despite not appealing the civil immunity issue to the Supreme Court, Trump's legal team has the option to revisit the immunity defense as the cases progress.