# DOJ/Jack Smith Investigation into Trump and Election Interference, January 6th Insurrection (Re-Indicted August 27, 2024) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [November 23, 2022, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455 "2022-11-23T20:14:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 92
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1824 "2023-12-01T15:26:54Z")
i expect quite the blizzard of lawsuits! ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1825 "2023-12-01T15:28:52Z")
So, Trump could be involved in costly and protracted litigation. Wow. I did _not_ see _that_ coming 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1826 "2023-12-01T15:30:59Z")
But who would have standing? I guess it can be “every citizen” or “nobody”. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1827 "2023-12-01T15:37:11Z")
Anyone who was hurt, I’d wager. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1828 "2023-12-01T15:38:50Z")
Oh, I thought that they could sue for “trying to break the constitutional order” not for the riot itself. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1829 "2023-12-01T16:17:28Z")
I would imagine that a lot of the rioters who are now in prison and thought they were fighting the good fight might be interested in suing if possible. I think you’d have a pretty good case that you were coerced into the crime by the big lie. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1830 "2023-12-01T17:10:03Z")
Injured police officers or families of those who died would certainly have standing. And people [like this guy](https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/15/politics/capitol-police-officer-gonell-january-6-resigns/index.html) who testified he left the force because of what the mob did to him on Jan 6. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1831 "2023-12-01T17:14:14Z")
If it was up to me, every citizen would have standing. “My country’s democracy level has been degraded by the actions of the defendant, negatively affecting my well being” ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1832 "2023-12-01T17:18:10Z")
Add me to the Class Action Suit. He has definitely caused harm to me. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1833 "2023-12-01T17:46:09Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > But who would have standing? … [Eric Swalwell](https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/05/politics/trump-lawsuit-insurrection-eric-swalwell/index.html) (D-CA), for one. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1834 "2023-12-01T17:53:01Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > I would imagine that a lot of the rioters who are now in prison and thought they were fighting the good fight might be interested in suing if possible. I think you’d have a pretty good case that you were coerced into the crime by the big lie. I don’t think so. (IANAL) [_Ex turpi causa non oritur actio_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex_turpi_causa_non_oritur_actio) ([Latin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin) “from a dishonorable cause an action does not arise”) is a [legal doctrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_doctrine) which states that a [plaintiff](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaintiff) will be unable to pursue legal [relief and damages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damages_(law)) if it arises in connection with their own tortious act. … In the law of [tort](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tort), the principle would prevent a criminal from bringing a claim against (for example) a fellow criminal. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1835 "2023-12-01T18:33:38Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > If it was up to me, every citizen would have standing. > “My country’s democracy level has been degraded by the actions of the defendant, negatively affecting my well being” I’d like to sue for the costs of my anti-depressants. And huge punitive damages, of course… ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1836 "2023-12-01T18:50:45Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > If it was up to me, every citizen would have standing. Why yes, thank you, I _would_ like a slice. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1837 "2023-12-01T20:14:08Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > In the law of [tort](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tort), the principle would prevent a criminal from bringing a claim against (for example) a fellow criminal. But on the other hand, Trump will have to waste time and money defending these cases, even if they can get tossed out. So I’m in favor of every rioter suing him, individually. I’m sure there’s a few who didn’t cross the line into actual criminality, but who have suffered some degree of damage (lost jobs, family, etc.). Let the courts sort it out, at Trump’s expense. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1838 "2023-12-01T20:28:22Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Anyone who was hurt, I’d wager. > [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > Add me to the Class Action Suit. He has definitely caused harm to me. > [@digs](#): > > I’d like to sue for the costs of my anti-depressants. And huge punitive damages, of course… And my loss of sleep, excessive booze bills, and the 10 lbs I’ve put on since Jan 6 despite increased exercise! ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1839 "2023-12-01T21:24:38Z")
On the other hand, if a cop wants to use your car to chase a pedophile, and it turned out they were a corrupt cop who used it as a getaway vehicle, you might have criminal liability and still have a civil case. It’s unprecedented territory, so maybe we should have trials. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1840 "2023-12-02T01:14:08Z")
[https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/01/politics/trump-presidential-immunity-election-subversion-case-chutkan/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/01/politics/trump-presidential-immunity-election-subversion-case-chutkan/index.html) Trump is having a bad day in all the courthouses. Chutkan says “no” to presidential immunity, does not have the divine right of kings. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1841 "2023-12-02T01:28:07Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > Chutkan says “no” to presidential immunity, does not have the divine right of kings. Trump would disagree. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1842 "2023-12-02T01:40:46Z")
How quickly or slowly will the appeals take? Would SCOTUS possibly consider declining to hear it if it gets to a request of their level? ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455/1843 "2023-12-02T05:04:46Z")
Every time I read that BS line of questioning, I keep wanting to ask those that ascribe to it if they’re ok with the following Hypothetical: “Biden decides, in his own mind, just as Trump, that current Republican leadership in the house and senate, Trump, and many of the SCOTUS are traitors to the American people. He then walks up to each in turn and as supreme executive, shoots them in the head. As he did this as president, on his sole authority, this is totally okay, and he’s immune to prosecution, exactly as you said, no?” And of course, they’d say, no, Biden wasn’t elected, and even if he was, it doesn’t apply to him, _only to -their- people_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455.md?page=91) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455.md?page=93)