In a recent ruling, an appeals court has dealt a blow to former President Donald Trump's bid for immunity in a lawsuit filed by US Capitol Police (USCP) Officer Conrad Smith and seven of his colleagues. The court's decision echoes previous sentiments that Trump's actions leading up to and including January 6th were not protected under the umbrella of his "official acts" as president or under the First Amendment.

The appeals court found that the lawsuit brought by Officer Smith and his colleagues was "virtually indistinguishable" from a previous case involving Officer Harry Blassingame. The crucial question in both cases was whether Trump's alleged actions could be considered official functions of the presidency or mere re-election activity.

The court's per curiam order, released on Friday, states, "This case is indistinguishable from Blassingame in all relevant aspects." It further noted that Trump failed to convince the court that his commentary before and on January 6th was part of his official duties to share "matters of public concern." The court emphasized that Trump's claim of immunity bears no inherent connection to the distinction between official and unofficial acts.

Under the local rules of the D.C. Circuit, Trump still has the option to request a rehearing with the full panel of judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals. However, neither Trump's attorneys nor Officer Smith's legal representation provided immediate comment regarding their next steps.

Since the events of January 6th, multiple lawsuits have been filed by officers seeking accountability from Trump for what they perceive as violations of the Ku Klux Klan Act. This Reconstruction-era law was designed to punish conspiracies to interfere with civil rights and forms the basis of the fourth charge in Trump's criminal election subversion indictment.

Trump has consistently attempted to dismiss these officer lawsuits, asserting absolute immunity from legal action. However, judges have largely rejected his claims, determining that his assertions of immunity lack supporting evidence.

This latest ruling marks yet another setback for Trump in his efforts to evade legal consequences for his actions relating to the events of January 6th. The court's decision reinforces the accountability that officers are seeking and highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding the former president's alleged misconduct.