NEW: Judge Issues Major Ruling On Trump’s J6 Speech

A federal judge handed President Donald Trump a major legal blow Tuesday, clearing the way for long-running civil lawsuits over the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to move forward.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that evidence gathered so far shows Trump’s speech near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, was political, not an official presidential act shielded by immunity.

“President Trump has not shown that the Speech reasonably can be understood as falling within the outer perimeter of his Presidential duties,” Mehta wrote. “The content of the Ellipse Speech confirms that it is not covered by official-acts immunity.”

The 79-page decision undercuts Trump’s repeated attempts to toss the lawsuits, which were brought by police officers and Democratic lawmakers seeking to hold him personally liable for the so-called “violence” that they say occurred at the U.S. Capitol.

The ruling doesn’t end the fight, but it’s likely to drag it out.

The case is expected to wind through appeals for years, potentially hanging over Trump for much of his presidency. It also delays any final resolution for those suing over injuries and damages tied to the breach.

Joseph Sellers, an attorney representing the Democratic lawmakers, cheered the ruling.

“We’re very pleased that the court recognized that President Trump cannot avoid accountability for his conduct on Jan. 6, 2021,” the lawyer said in an interview. “This decision, if it holds up, is going to pave the way to a trial in federal district court on these claims.”

Trump’s legal team pushed back, insisting his actions that day fell squarely within his role as commander in chief.

“The facts show that on January 6, 2021, President Trump was acting on behalf of the American people, carrying out his official duties as President of the United States,” the statement said. “President Trump will continue to fight back against the Democrat Witch Hoaxes and keep delivering historic results for the American People.”

Even as Mehta sided largely with the plaintiffs, he opened the door for another round of appeals, a move expected to stall proceedings for at least a year, and potentially longer if the Supreme Court steps in.

“We may have a trial in the spring or summer of 2028,” Sellers said. That timeline would put a courtroom showdown more than seven years after the Capitol breach.

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