Trump claims 'absolute immunity' in civil suits over Jan. 6

Former President Donald Trump claims the president enjoys "absolute immunity" in civil suits related to presidential acts as he faces potential legal action for his alleged role in the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot.

A statement Trump's attorneys presented to the court, which Fox News obtained, stated that the matter was one of separation of powers and that judicial dismantling of presidential immunity would encourage partisan harassment of elected officials through the legal system.

"This appeal requires the adjudication of a simple but important constitutional issue regarding the separation of powers: whether the scope of the presidential absolute immunity continues to reach the outer perimeters of presidential responsibilities or whether the immunity can be undercut if the presidential act in question is unpopular among the judiciary," the statement read.

"Consequently, it is especially important to avoid allowing the judicial department to pass judgment on the political statements and discourse of the President of the United States," it continued.

Trump's statement comes amid the news that the Justice Department is investigating the former president in its probe of the Capitol Riot.

The House select committee investigating the Capitol Riot held a string of primetime hearings related to the events of Jan. 6 but did not serve Trump with a subpoena to compel his testimony.