The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page's lawsuit against former FBI Director James Comey and seven other officials, effectively ending a legal battle that stemmed from the FBI's flawed surveillance of Page during the 2016 presidential election.
Page had sued Comey, former deputy director Andrew McCabe, and other FBI personnel after a Justice Department inspector general report uncovered serious problems with the warrant applications used to monitor him. The Trump administration settled a related suit with Page in April for $1.25 million, far less than the $75 million he originally sought. However, that settlement didn't resolve claims against the officials in their personal capacity.
Lower courts had already dismissed Page's efforts, with a federal judge ruling that he waited too long to file the suit—a decision upheld by an appeals court. The Supreme Court's refusal to intervene leaves those rulings intact.
The case highlights the fallout from the FBI's investigation into Trump's 2016 campaign, which included surveillance of Page based on a controversial dossier. Former FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith, also named in Page's suit, pleaded guilty in 2020 to altering an email used to justify a warrant renewal. The inspector general's report had found numerous errors and omissions in the FBI's applications to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
Legal experts say the Supreme Court's decision is unsurprising, given the narrow grounds for review. The case raised questions about qualified immunity and the statute of limitations for suing federal officials, but the justices chose not to weigh in.
The Supreme Court's June docket is packed with other high-stakes cases, including disputes over birthright citizenship, presidential firing power, and transgender bans—issues that could reshape the Trump administration's agenda. Meanwhile, Page's legal saga serves as a reminder of the intelligence community's missteps during the 2016 election, a topic that continues to fuel partisan debate.
Page, who has maintained his innocence, has criticized the FBI's actions as politically motivated. The settlement with the government and the dismissal of his personal suit mean he will not see further court action on these claims.
