The "No Torts for Trump Act" is a proposed law that aims to prevent the sitting President and certain family members from suing the United States for personal injuries or damages while in office. This bill is designed to address potential conflicts of interest and ensure that the President focuses on public duties rather than personal legal claims.
What This Bill Does
The "No Torts for Trump Act" seeks to change the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), which currently allows people to sue the U.S. government for injuries caused by federal employees. If this bill becomes law, it would create a new rule that stops the President and certain family members, like their spouse and children, from filing these kinds of lawsuits during the President's term in office.
Right now, anyone, including the President, can file a lawsuit against the government if they are hurt due to federal negligence, like a car accident caused by a government driver. This bill would change that for the President and their close family, meaning they would have to wait until after the President leaves office to file such claims.
The bill is modeled after a similar proposal in the House of Representatives, called the "CORRUPT Act." Both bills aim to prevent any sitting President from using their position to gain financial benefits from lawsuits against the government they lead.
Why It Matters
This bill could have significant impacts on how the President and their family interact with the legal system. By barring them from filing lawsuits against the government while in office, it aims to prevent any conflicts of interest where the President could influence legal outcomes for personal gain.
For everyday Americans, this bill is about ensuring that the President remains focused on serving the public rather than pursuing personal legal battles. It also seeks to protect taxpayer dollars from being used in lawsuits that could be seen as self-serving if initiated by the President or their family.
Key Facts
- Cost/Budget Impact: The bill is expected to have a negligible or slightly positive impact on the federal budget by reducing potential payouts.
- Timeline for Implementation: The bill would take effect as soon as it is signed into law and would apply to claims filed after that date.
- Number of People Affected: Directly affects the sitting President and their close family members.
- Key Dates: Introduced in the Senate on November 18, 2025.
- Related Legislation: Modeled after the House's "CORRUPT Act."
- Permanent Change: The bill does not include a sunset clause, meaning it would remain in effect unless repealed.
- Potential Legal Challenges: Could face constitutional challenges if seen as targeting specific individuals.
Arguments in Support
- Prevents Conflicts of Interest: Supporters argue that the bill stops the President from using their position to influence legal cases for personal financial gain.
- Focus on Public Duty: It reinforces the idea that the President should prioritize public service over personal legal matters.
- Protects Taxpayer Money: By barring these lawsuits, the bill aims to prevent taxpayer funds from being used to settle claims brought by the President or their family.
- Symbolic Deterrent: It sends a message that Congress will not tolerate presidents seeking personal financial benefits through lawsuits against the government.
- Simplifies Legal Processes: The bill could make legal proceedings simpler by removing potential conflicts of interest in cases involving the President.
Arguments in Opposition
- Denies Equal Access to Justice: Critics argue that it unfairly denies the President and their family the right to seek compensation for legitimate injuries.
- Constitutional Concerns: The bill could be seen as a bill of attainder, targeting a specific individual or group for punishment without trial.
- Overly Broad: Opponents say the bill affects all future presidents, regardless of their behavior, and could prevent them from seeking justice for non-political injuries.
- Existing Protections: There are already ethics rules and legal procedures to handle conflicts of interest, making this bill unnecessary.
- Politicizes Legal Processes: The bill's name and focus could politicize a traditionally neutral area of law.