A Question for DU Legal Eagles re: DOJ taking over Defamation Case

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Yes. The DoJ filed a motion, which means a judge has to grant it.

What they are trying to do is substitute the United States for Trump as the defendant on the ground that Trump was acting in his capacity as president, in which case the government would be responsible. But since the government can't be considered to commit defamation, the case would have to be dismissed. I'd be amazed if the judge granted the motion, since it's clear that Trump was acting in his personal capacity, trying to fend off Carroll's assertion that he assaulted her by claiming she's a liar. There's no governmental function or interest at issue when a president makes accusations relating to an entirely personal incident that occurred long before he became president. The shorter answer is that it's bullshit.