The US Justice Department has moved to shield President Donald Trump from civil lawsuits filed by police officers and Democratic lawmakers seeking to hold him responsible for the violence during the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol by his supporters.

In court filings late on Thursday, department lawyers urged US District Judge Amit Mehta to replace Trump as a defendant in the litigation and substitute the US government in his place for certain claims, arguing that he was acting within the scope of his office or employment before and during the riot.

Trump’s supporters attacked the Capitol in a failed attempt to prevent Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential election victory, following Trump’s false claims of widespread voting fraud.

The department cited a federal law that mandates the US government be the defendant when federal employees are sued in their official capacity under state laws.

It was noted that the department’s intervention applies only to allegations made under local laws in Washington, DC.

US Justice Department moves to shield Trump from January 6 lawsuits