Washington: A US judge has allowed the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to issue subpoenas to several members of President Donald Trump's inner circle as part of the broadcaster's defence in Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit over a 2024 documentary about the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

US Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett ruled during a hearing in Miami on Tuesday that the BBC's subpoena requests were reasonable in light of the scope of the lawsuit. However, the judge indicated that some of the requests could be narrowed before the documents are produced.

The subpoenas are directed at several prominent Trump associates and family members, including Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Steve Bannon, Stephen Miller and Michael Flynn.

According to court filings, the BBC is seeking emails, text messages and other communications relating to the "Stop the Steal" rally on January 6, 2021, as well as Trump's efforts to challenge the outcome of the 2020 US presidential election. The broadcaster is also requesting records that the subpoena recipients previously provided to federal investigators.

Trump filed the lawsuit in December, alleging that a BBC documentary released in 2024 defamed him by misrepresenting his role in the events leading up to the Capitol riot. The complaint focuses on a 12-second edited clip from Trump's speech before the attack, claiming it was altered in a way that falsely suggested he directly encouraged violence.

The BBC acknowledged the editing error and apologised in November. However, Trump proceeded with the lawsuit, seeking $10 billion in damages.

The broadcaster has argued that, to prevail in the defamation case, Trump must prove that the documentary falsely accused him of inciting the Capitol attack. It contends that communications involving Trump's closest advisers and family members are relevant to determining his actions and intent surrounding the events of January 6.

The ruling allows the BBC to continue the discovery process in the high-profile case, although the court may still limit the scope of the subpoena requests before documents are handed over.