Trump Petitioned Supreme Court Over Clinton Lawsuit
The former president asked the court to revive a dismissed racketeering case against Hillary Clinton and others.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Elections
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President Donald Trump has petitioned the US Supreme Court to reinstate a lawsuit he filed in 2022 against Hillary Clinton, James Comey, and the Democratic National Committee. The legal action stems from allegations that the defendants conspired to rig the 2016 election.
Why it matters
The petition follows an 11th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that upheld the initial dismissal of the case and sanctions against Trump and his legal counsel. Federal judges have characterized the litigation as a political manifesto rather than a legitimate legal complaint.
A federal judge previously ordered nearly $1 million in sanctions for the filing of a frivolous lawsuit. The case, which alleged racketeering and conspiracy, was dismissed in 2022 for failing to constitute a viable legal claim.
The players
Donald Trump
The current President of the United States who initiated the legal challenge against his 2016 election opponent.
Hillary Clinton
The former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee who was named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Alina Habba
The attorney who represented Donald Trump and faced sanctions alongside him for the filing of the lawsuit.
James Comey
The former FBI Director who was included in the conspiracy allegations brought forth in the lawsuit.
Democratic National Committee
The political organization named as a defendant in the racketeering and conspiracy suit.
The details
The lawsuit, which named Christopher Steele among the defendants, was dismissed after a judge found it abused litigation tactics to advance a political narrative. The legal dispute has persisted for years, including references to the 2019 report by Robert Mueller and a 2023 report by John Durham regarding the FBI.
Timeline
The initial election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton occurred in 2016.
Robert Mueller and John Durham issued reports on campaign investigations starting in 2019.
Donald Trump filed his initial lawsuit against Hillary Clinton in 2022.
The 11th Circuit Court upheld the dismissal and sanctions in 2025.
Donald Trump petitioned the US Supreme Court on October 9, 2026.
Political Context
The filing incorporates the findings of the 2023 John Durham report to bolster its claims that the initial investigation into the Trump campaign lacked sufficient evidence. Critics of the suit argue that these legal actions serve primarily as a continuation of political grievances rather than a challenge based on established legal statutes.
The Supreme Court petition highlights the ongoing intersection of political rhetoric and the judicial system for the American taxpayer. While the case currently remains in the appellate process, the legal costs and sanctions involved underscore the consequences of filing suits deemed frivolous by the federal courts.
The takeaway
The Supreme Court's decision to accept or reject this petition will determine if further resources are spent on a case that lower courts have repeatedly labeled as an abuse of the legal system. This development serves as a reminder of the high bar required to substantiate claims of election rigging in federal court.
Further reading
For additional context on legal challenges involving federal candidates, visit the Elections section.
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