Trump’s Jan. 6 Immunity Claims Put Government in a Tough Spot

The Justice Department finds itself in a politically precarious situation as it decides whether to back Donald Trump against lawsuits over the US Capitol riot — and it’s asking a court for more time to make the call.

Trump argues he is entitled to immunity against the civil suits by Democratic members of Congress and law enforcement officers seeking to hold him responsible for the January 2021 attack. Lawyers for the US this week asked the federal appeals court in Washington for a second deadline extension to decide whether to submit a brief – and, if so, what to say ...