With the filing of the wrongful death lawsuit filed against Donald Trump by the partner of deceased Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died after holding the line with other officers against the Republican-led domestic terrorists attacking Congress January 6th, I thought it would be helpful to take a look at the various legal cases pending against the 2024 presidential candidate and one-time resident of the White House.  Using sources like Just Security, Law360 and Wikipedia, here’s a run down on cases that appear to be ongoing and summaries of those well-known ones that have closed.  These do not generally include cases Trump is a part of as his one-time position as President of the United States and deal only with personal legal problems.  

CRIMINAL CASES

Jack Smith special counsel investigation/J6 Committee referral:  The Big Kahuna.  The overall Department of Justice probe into Republican efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including the various attempts Trump led, directed or took direct part in.

DOJ classified documents probe:  There are a number of legal issues here for Trump, from obstruction to mishandling of classified documents to potential Espionage Act violations.  

Fulton County election interference investigation:  Fulton County DA Fani Willis’s probe into Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia, which was won by Joe Biden.  Willis is looking into various efforts by Trump and his cabal to interfere with the official tally and reporting, including Trump’s call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger asking him to find 11,870 votes to give him the victory.

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s investigation:  A resurrected criminal case probing potential criminal fraud relating to financial and insurance fraud.

West Chester District Attorney investigation into value manipulation of Trump National Golf Club Westchester to reduce tax liability.  The current status of the case is unknown.

DC Attorney General investigation into January 6th:  The DC Attorney General office is progressing with its own investigation into the criminal acts surrounding the January 6th attack.

CIVIL CASES

NY AG financial manipulation case $250 million:  New York District Attorney has filed a massive civil suit alleging the Trump Organization systemically and routinely reported false values of business properties in order to reduce tax liability or increase apparent wealth when needed.  Yesterday, a judge denied a Trump motion to dismiss this case.

Jean Carroll defamation suit I: Relating to Trump statement in 2019 demeaning Carroll, who has accused Trump of raping her in the changing room of a New York department store in the 1990s.  (The US Department of Justice has taken over as defendant because of the claim that Trump was acting in his official capacity in rebuffing the claims.)  Trump attempted to countersue citing New York laws against frivolous defamation suits, but the court rejected the suit.

Jean Carroll defamation suit II: Filed after Trump made defamatory statements against Carroll in 2022 relating to her rape allegations.  The DOJ has no say in this because Trump’s statements happened after he was booted from office.

Doe v. The Trump Corporation:  A lawsuit brought by various anonymous parties against Donald, Don Jr., Eric and Ivanka claiming they used their brand to intentionally promote fraudulent companies like the alleged pyramid scam ACN, multi-level marketing scheme The Trump Network, and Business Strategy Group that staged seminars to teach Trump’s “winning” ways and for which people paid tens of thousands of dollars for up-sold classes. Members of the Trump family sat for depositions in the case during Summer 2022.

Thompson et al v. Trump:  Not to be confused with various litigation relating to the House Committee, this lawsuit was filed in February 2021 against Trump, Rudy Giuliani, the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers and others regarding their involvement in the January 6th insurrection.  Thompson later withdrew, and one of the other plaintiffs, all members of Congress, Democratic California Congresswoman Karen Bass, took over as the lead plaintiff.  The case is based on the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, which punished organized violence as a method to prevent the operation of an election and other government functions.  

Swalwell v. Trump:  Like the Thompson case above, California Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell sued Trump and others on the basis of the KKK Act, but added an additional twist:  Swalwell claims Trump is civilly liable because he and the others who stoked the violence on January 6th broke DC criminal law.  The case continues after a DC court rejected in July 2022 Trump’s claim that he was protected by presidential immunity.

Blassingame v. Trump, Smith v. Trump, Moore v. Trump, Tabron v. Trump:  Prior to the case filed this week by the partner of deceased Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, a total of a dozen officers from the Capitol Police or DC Metropolitan Police filed suit against Trump for setting the violent crowd on the Capitol.  

Michigan. Welfare Rights Org. v Trump:  Along with the NAACP, MWRO claims Trump violated the Ku Klux Klan Act, organizing a violent act to disenfranchise voters.  

Savage v. Trump, Giuliani, etc.:  A Pennsylvania elections worker filed a lawsuit against Trump and his associates after, he claims, harassment from Trump supporters led him to have two heart attacks, among other hardships, after the 2020 election.  He’s also seeking a judgment on conspiracy and

CLOSED CASES

Mary Trump lawsuit:  Judge dismissed the suit by Trump’s niece alleging he and his siblings defrauded her out of inheritance after Fred Trump’s death.

Ithaca Capital Investors:  After initial partners in a Trump property in Panana went bankrupt, ICI stepped in and bought the majority share of Trump International Hotel & Tower Panama.  ICI alleged Trump and his sons misrepresented the financial condition and operations of the property.  The parties settled in a private agreement in September 2021.  The hotel was reflagged as the JW Marriott Panama in 2018.

Scottish Government:  Trump ordered to pay $290,000 to the Scottish government in 2019 to reimburse costs incurred in a lawsuit Trump filed to have a wind farm removed from the sightlines of his golf course near Aberdeen.

Trump Inauguration Committee:  The DC Attorney General settled a case in May 2022 alleging the Trump Inaugural Committee misguided funds to the pockets of the Trump family, its companies and others.  The committee settled on a $350,000 fine while the Trump Organization, which profited from the plan, paid $400,000.  

Galicia v. Trump:  Six demonstrators who were assaulted outside Trump Tower in Manhattan by Trump’s private security personnel settled for an undisclosed amount in November 2022.