Can a government official be held liable for the actions of his subordinate?

Government officials may not be held liable for the action of their subordinates under a theory of respondeat superior. Id. at 691. Since a government official cannot be held liable under a theory of vicarious liability in 1983 actions, plaintiff must plead sufficient facts showing that the official has violated the Constitution through his own individual actions by linking each named defendant with some affirmative act or omission that demonstrates a violation of plaintiff's federal rights. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 676 (2009).

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