A federal judge on Wednesday tossed a defamation lawsuit against Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) filed after she took to the House floor to accuse a man of being a predator.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel ruled that even if the lawsuit could proceed, federal law entitles the Justice Department to step in and largely make Mace immune from damages.

Gergel did not address whether Mace actually defamed the man, Brian Musgrave, and acknowledged the ruling means he may have no ability to recover damages even if the congresswoman falsely destroyed his reputation, as Musgrave claims.

“Congress has weighed the risks and benefits....and concluded that libel and related claims against federal officials acting within the scope of their employment are barred under federal law. It is this Court’s duty t

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