Image: The Times of India

Judge Mehta Rules Trump’s Capitol Speech Not Protected by Immunity

03 April, 2026.USA.5 sources

Key Takeaways

Mehta denied Trump's presidential immunity to end Jan. 6 civil lawsuits.
Civil lawsuits related to January 6 continue in federal court.
The case is heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Mehta Clears Way for January 6 Suits

Judge Mehta ruled that Trump's January 6 speech was not covered by presidential immunity.

“Judge Amit Mehta in focus after ruling on Trump speech and immunity Mehta, a federal judge of the US District Court of the District of Columbia, had in 2022 rejected Trump’s attempt to dismiss three lawsuits that accused him of responsibility for the January 6 attack on the US Capitol”

EasternEye

The ruling came in litigation seeking to hold Trump accountable for his role in the Capitol attack.

EasternEye

Mehta found the speech cannot reasonably be understood as falling within presidential duties.

Mehta’s Legal and Personal Background

Mehta was born in Gujarat in 1971 and moved to the US at age one.

He was nominated by Obama in 2014 after serving as a public defender and law firm partner.

House.gov

His previous rulings include finding Google violated anti-trust laws.

Political and Public Response

Rep. Pramila Jayapal praised the ruling, saying it brings the country closer to holding Trump accountable.

“arrow-down comments printer search bell top-nav right-arrow left-arrow arrow-down Advertisement Trump Immunity Ruling Puts Spotlight on Indian-Origin Judge Amit Mehta Last August, Amit Mehta had ruled that Google had broken anti-trust laws to maintain its dominance in online search”