- Trump asks the Supreme Court to overturn an $83 million defamation verdict won by writer E. Jean Carroll after she accused him of sexual assault.
- A Manhattan jury awarded Carroll $83 million in damages in January 2024.
- In 2023, another jury awarded Carroll $5 million after finding Trump liable for sexual abuse.
- Lower courts have rejected Trump’s appeals to overturn the verdict, with the New York-based appeals court agreeing to delay the payout until the Supreme Court weighs in.
- The Justice Department cites the Westfall Act, which shields government employees from lawsuits for actions taken as part of their official duties.
- Trump's lawyers argue that his statements about Carroll fall within the bounds of his office's immunity.
- This case marks the first instance in U.S. history where a court has imposed damages liability on a president for conduct in office.
Donald Trump is seeking to overturn an $83 million defamation verdict awarded to E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of sexual assault.12
The Justice Department argues that the Westfall Act protects government officials from lawsuits for actions taken in their official capacity. Trump's lawyers contend that his statements about Carroll were made while he was president, thus falling under presidential immunity.56
"Absent this Court’s intervention, the sitting President is facing nearly a hundred million dollars of personal liability for conduct that was well within the scope of his federal office," federal attorneys stated. This case marks a historic moment as it is the first time a court has imposed damages on a president for actions taken while in office.
A Manhattan jury awarded Carroll $83 million in damages in January 2024, following a previous ruling in 2023 that found Trump liable for $5 million for sexual abuse and defamation. The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals has previously rejected Trump's appeals, and the Supreme Court's decision will be pivotal in determining the outcome of this unprecedented legal battle.34
“The Justice Department argues that the Westfall Act protects government employees from lawsuits for actions taken in their official capacity, while Trump's lawyers claim his statements about Carroll fall under presidential immunity. This case marks the first time a court has imposed damages liability on a president for conduct during their time in office.”
Euronews.com
The Guardian
