Trump has a deadline to explain why 'discovery should not proceed against him' in Jan. 6 lawsuits now that judge ruled

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Law & Crime

Apr 21st, 2026, 10:50 am


Now that a federal judge has ruled that Donald Trump can't hide behind immunity to avoid civil liability for his Jan. 6 speech and the violence that followed that day, the president has a week to explain "why merits discovery should not proceed against him."

In a brief order on Monday, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta told the Democratic lawmakers and Capitol Police officers suing Trump that discovery against the president remains on hold, including a deposition. Whether that continues depends on what Trump says next, the judge suggested.

"The condition to stay discovery against any defendant or third party in these matters is no longer extant, with the court having ruled on Defendant President Trump's immunity motion," Mehta's minute order began. "Accordingly, the parties in these consolidated cases shall meet and confer and, by May 1, 2026, submit a proposed discovery plan." "President Trump shall show cause by April 29, 2026, why merits discovery should not proceed against him. His response shall be no more than ten pages," the Barack Obama-appointed jurist added.

The order comes several weeks after Mehta ruled that presidential immunity could not spare Trump from liability for unofficial acts in his private capacity, also finding the president's "remarks" from the Ellipse on Jan. 6 "plausibly were inciting words that are not protected by the First Amendment."

Read more: https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/trump-ordered-to-explain-why-discovery-should-not-proceed-against-him-in-jan-6-lawsuits/

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Full headline: Trump has a deadline to explain why 'discovery should not proceed against him' in Jan. 6 lawsuits now that judge ruled on crucial immunity question


Link to ORDER - https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/59292668/thompson-v-trump/?page=3#minute-entry-461409653

Link to tweet

Josh Gerstein
@joshgerstein
·
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JUST IN: Judge Amit Mehta (Obama/DC) opens door to deposition of Trump in #Jan6 civil lawsuits. Discovery against Trump on merits of cases could begin in May. Earlier: https://politico.com/news/2026/03/31/trump-setback-civil-suits-capitol-riot-00853761
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10:59 PM · Apr 20, 2026

And 45 just appealed this today (PDF) - https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.227536/gov.uscourts.dcd.227536.224.0.pdf

[dweller]

1. Interesting

I wonder how this reflects on , or influences this ?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221188564



🤔


✌🏻

[BumRushDaShow]

3. I think this case is related to the Capitol Police civil lawsuits

[dweller]

4. I meant in regard to

‘ Discovery ‘ … subpoenas issued and then withdrawn because ?

✌🏻

[BumRushDaShow]

5. That Brennan thing is another "Pirro Special"

So whatever they are doing usually ends up fucked up.

[Marie Marie]

2. Don't know where his particular case stands but I wonder how Swalwell's

troubles will effect his case against Trump. I know that he was winning so far in proceeding. Cheeesh - what a waste of talent. Was looking forward to Eric sweeping the floor with that "thing" on Trump's fat head.

[Bayard]

8. I was thinking that too

I wouldn't think the harm he was caused by trump is dependent on still being in office.

[FakeNoose]

6. Let the discovering begin! It's time

[AZ8theist]

7. Wait, WHAT??!? I thought the supremes ruled Trump was KING.

"And therefore, shall no peasant infringe upon His Majesty's Imbecility and Most Righteous Criminality" *

* (not 100% sure, but I heard that was in the SC ruling on Preznit immunity....probably Alitos concuring opinion)