Brandon Ortiz-Vite, a 27-year-old man serving a lengthy prison sentence, has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, alleging he faced humiliation when his case was used as a political talking point.
Ortiz-Vite is serving a sentence of 39 to 102 years in prison for killing Ruby Garcia in March 2024. Garcia's body had several gunshot wounds and was found dumped along a road in Grand Rapids. The pair were in a romantic relationship and were engaged in an argument at the time of the slaying.
Ortiz-Vite's case garnered national attention and was highlighted when Trump visited Grand Rapids in 2024. During his remarks, Trump labeled Ortiz-Vite as "America's problem" and featured his mugshot in commercials as an example of the "murderers, rapists, and drug traffickers" who resided illegally in the United States.
Ortiz-Vite claimed he was mocked by prison staff and other inmates, and that his case was used to belittle him and destroy his dignity. He also stated that his case was used for "political gain on TV" and that he was "center stage in front of a nation, public scrutiny at its finest!"
Ortiz-Vite is seeking $75 million, a public apology, and "naturalization to this beautiful country." However, a criminal defense attorney and former federal prosecutor, Matthew Borgula, believes the lawsuit is unlikely to succeed, citing presidential immunity and the fact that Trump's statements were "substantially true."
Borgula noted that presidential immunity covers official acts, and campaign statements can fall outside of it. He also stated that being publicly embarrassed by a politician isn't a constitutional violation.
Tudor Dixon, a former Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate, called the lawsuit an example of arrogance and entitlement. She stated that it's time lawmakers stand with the Ruby Garcias of the world instead of her killer.
Ortiz-Vite eventually took responsibility for his actions and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Despite his remorse, he is now seeking damages for what he claims was an unjust use of his case for political gain.
Borgula noted that the lawsuit appears to be a window into what it's like to become a talking point in a national campaign, but he doesn't see a legal avenue for collecting damages on a theory that the conviction was unfair.
