Trump’s Denial Of Rape Allegation Was ‘Official Act,’ DOJ Asserts In Seeking To Take Over President’s Case

Topline

The U.S. Justice Department said Monday that President Donald Trump’s denial of a rape accusation was an “official act” in his capacity as president and he shouldn’t be sued personally by his accuser, writer E. Jean Carroll, who brought a defamation suit against the president after he denied the allegation.

Key Facts

Key Background

On September 8 the DOJ intervened in the suit against Trump using a law designed to protect federal employees against defamation suits when they perform their duties. If approved by a judge, the DOJ would have the lawsuit transferred from state court to federal court, and effectively would win dismissal of the case since federal employees are legally immune to most claims of defamation. Earlier this month, Carroll asked a judge to reject the Justice Department’s move to intervene in the case. Carrol claims she lost her job at Elle Magazine after Trump attacked her reputation when he denied the accusation.

Crucial Quote

“There is not a single person in the United States — not the president and not anyone else — whose job description includes slandering women they sexually assaulted,” Ms. Carroll’s lawyers wrote in court documents, according to the New York Times.

Further Reading

Justice Dept. Says Trump’s Denial of Rape Accusation Was an Official Act (New York Times)

Justice Department Seeks To Defend Trump In Rape Accuser’s Defamation Suit (Forbes)