united-states constitutional-law president
Is the US President immune from civil lawsuits?
<p>I read in the news that recently inaugurated US President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/liberal-watchdog-group-sues-trump-alleging-he-violated-constitutional-ban/2017/01/22/5e8b35c2-e113-11e6-a547-5fb9411d332c_story.html?utm_term=.59f9cf92003c" rel="nofollow noreferrer">has been sued for "ethics violation" by a private entity</a> for violating the emoluments clause of the Constitution.</p>

<p>I thought that the President was immune from lawsuits by private citizens?</p>

<p>From Clinton v. Jones 520 U.S. 681 (1997):</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Deferral of this litigation until petitioner's Presidency ends is not constitutionally required.</p>
<p>[...]</p>
<p>The separation-of-powers doctrine does not require federal courts to stay all private actions against the President until he leaves office.</p>
<p>[...]</p>
<p>Nixon v Fitzgerald provides no support for an immunity for unofficial conduct.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Regarding <em>official</em> acts, the President <em>is</em> immune. Nixon v. Fitzgerald 457 U.S. 731 (1982):</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Petitioner, as a former President of the United States, is entitled to absolute immunity from damages liability predicated on his official acts.</p>
<p>[...]</p>
<p>The President's absolute immunity extends to all acts within the &quot;outer perimeter&quot; of his duties of office.</p>
</blockquote>
