Department of Justice seeks to defend Trump in rape lawsuit

(KYMA, KECY/ CNN) - The Biden Administration is continuing with the Justice Department's defense of former President Donald Trump in a defamation lawsuit.

The DOJ filed a legal brief on Monday seeking to have the federal government represent Trump in the case against columnist, E. Jean Carroll.

Carroll has accused President Trump of raping her in a dressing room in the 1990's and then defaming her in his response to her claim.

The DOJ argues that trump cannot personally be held liable for any remarks he made to the press about Carroll while President. That would effectively dismiss the case since the government cannot be sued for defamation.

A district judge also denied a similar DOJ request in October.