In a unanimous ruling on Friday, a federal appeals court panel declared that former President Donald Trump does not have immunity from civil lawsuits tied to the January 6 Capitol riot. The ruling opens the possibility for Trump to face substantial damages and legal fees resulting from pending suits filed by police officers and members of Congress, as well as potential additional lawsuits stemming from the insurrection.

The decision does not directly state that Trump is liable for allegedly inciting the riot, which saw a mob of his supporters storming the Capitol, leaving over 100 police officers injured. However, it disregards Trump's argument that his false claims of widespread ballot fraud, made while he was still president, were protected by official-act immunity.

"The President... does not continue to enjoy immunity from damages liability just because he happens to be the President.," wrote Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan in the opinion for the three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Srinivasan emphasized that Trump did not dispute engaging in his alleged actions as a candidate leading up to and on January 6, but stated that a President's speech on matters of public concern is not necessarily an official function.

The panel's ruling was joined by Judge Judith Rogers, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton, and Judge Gregory Katsas, previously a clerk for conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and appointed by Trump.

The decision comes as Trump faces four pending criminal cases, including two related to his efforts to overturn his loss to President Joe Biden in the 2020 election. The January 6 riot caused significant disruption to the confirmation of Biden's victory by a joint session of Congress.

Beyond the civil suits, Trump is also the subject of a lawsuit led by New York's attorney general, who is seeking $250 million in damages over allegations of business fraud. Earlier this year, a federal civil jury ordered Trump to pay $5 million to writer E. Jean Carroll for sexual abuse and defamation. He is set to face a second trial related to Carroll's lawsuit in early 2024.

The ruling marks another legal setback for Trump as he continues to face potential legal consequences for his actions during his time in office, particularly surrounding the events of January 6. It remains to be seen how this ruling will impact the existing civil lawsuits against him and what repercussions it may have for his political future as he remains a frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.