Trump Seeks to Revive Dismissed 2016 Election Lawsuit Against Hillary Clinton

Former US President Donald Trump is attempting to reinstate a previously dismissed civil lawsuit alleging that his 2016 rival, Hillary Clinton, attempted to manipulate the election by linking his campaign to Russia.

The 108-page lawsuit, originally filed in 2022, accused Clinton of violating federal racketeering laws by joining a conspiracy to spread “a false narrative of collusion between Trump and Russia.” The case was dismissed by US District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks, who ruled that Trump had missed the two-year statute of limitations and failed to demonstrate legal or financial harm.

On Tuesday, Trump’s legal team urged an appeals court in Alabama to revive the suit, arguing that he incurred legal fees defending against “various federal investigations and/or official proceedings” connected to the 2016 election and alleged Russian interference. Attorney Richard Klugh told the court that Trump “is the victim in this case of a continuous pattern of misconduct” and that collusion allegations damaged Trump’s brand.

Klugh also argued that because Trump served as president until January 2021, the 2022 lawsuit should not be barred by the statute of limitations, as Congress allows for extended filing deadlines in certain situations.

It remains uncertain whether the appeals court will allow the case to move forward. Chief Judge William Pryor expressed skepticism, noting that the lawsuit “seems a classic shotgun complaint,” suggesting it is poorly drafted and improperly connects too many defendants and claims.

Trump’s 2016 campaign was overshadowed by the Russiagate controversy—a series of allegations claiming improper ties between his team and Moscow, which continued into his presidency and led to FBI and special counsel investigations. Earlier this year, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified documents alleging that the Obama administration attempted to “manufacture” intelligence to support the Trump-Russia narrative, with input from the Clinton campaign. Gabbard described the findings as a “treasonous conspiracy” and a “years-long coup” to undermine Trump’s 2016 victory.

Russia has consistently denied any involvement in the 2016 election, labeling the allegations as partisan fiction. The Russiagate controversy, however, severely strained US-Russia relations, resulting in sanctions, asset seizures, and heightened diplomatic tensions.

Source: RT