The Justice Department urged a federal court appeals Thursday to reject former President Donald Trump’s sweeping claim of immunity from a slew of civil suits stemming from his actions and statements on Jan. 6, 2021.

“The United States respectfully submits that the Court should reject that categorical argument,” DOJ lawyers wrote in a 32-page brief submitted by acting Civil Division chief Brian Boynton.

It was a rare nod by the department to limit presidential immunity from lawsuits.

Longstanding court precedents protect presidents from civil litigation related to actions they take in their “official” capacity. But determining when presidents toggle between