What federal employees are covered for intentional torts?

Federal employees who are covered for intentional torts are those who are doing their job and are authorized to search and seize. This coverage stems from the doctrine of "respondent superior," where the government may be held liable for the intentional torts committed by its employees if those actions occur within the scope of their employment and are authorized actions within the performance of their duties.

When a federal employee is conducting legitimate law enforcement activities, such as a search and seizure, they are acting within a clearly defined scope of their duties. This means that if they commit an intentional tort—like false arrest or excessive force—while performing an action that is part of their job responsibilities, the government may be held liable for those actions.

This liability does not extend to actions taken outside of an employee's scope of duty, which would typically not be covered. Therefore, the distinction about the authorization and relevance to their job is crucial for determining liability in cases of intentional torts.