![]() The case: The special counsel’s office has been investigating whether Trump or those close to him violated the law by interfering with the lawful transfer of power after the 2020 presidential election or with Congress’s confirmation of the results on Jan. Read the full text of the 45-page indictment, which references Pence or vice presidency more than 100 times. Here’s a breakdown of the charges against Trump and what they mean and things that stand out from the Trump indictment. The charges: Trump faces four charges in connection with what prosecutors allege was a plan to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. ![]() the ways in which demagogues could become tyrants.The latest: Former president Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he plotted to overturn the 2020 election in the runup to the Jan. because the Founders were in particular worried about. "But he is not entitled to assert a First Amendment defense against removal or disqualification from office. Trump is entitled to hold whatever opinions he wants and to express them, Keisler says. "This isn't a criminal prosecution which seeks to render someone's speech illegal." "The First Amendment's protection of freedom of speech simply doesn't apply to impeachment," Peter Keisler, a former acting attorney general in George W. "We can't possibly be suggesting that we punish people for political speech in this country," Castor said.Īs NPR's legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg reported on Tuesday, some legal scholars argue that the question is irrelevant to an impeachment trial. Tuesday, defense attorney Bruce Castor asked the Senate, "This trial is about trading liberty for the security from the mob? Honestly, no. ![]() Trump's legal team is expected to rely heavily on a First Amendment defense. And that's why he has no credible constitutional defense," Raskin said. Raskin added that not only are Trump's words not shielded by free speech protections, but what he did on the day of the Capitol attack was the act of " inciter in chief." ![]() Raskin noted that the conservative Federalist Society issued a memo before the start of the impeachment trial that said in part: "The First Amendment is no bar to the Senate convicting former President Trump and disqualifying him from holding future office." Raskin likened what Trump did to a local fire chief who is paid to put out fires but instead orders a mob to descend on a crowded theater and set it ablaze.Īnd then when calls for help go to the fire department, Raskin continued, Trump "does nothing but sit back, encourage the mob to continue its rampage and watch the fire spread on TV." "If you break it, we can impeach, convict, remove and disqualify you permanently from holding any office of honor, trust or profit in the United States." "Look, if you're the president of the United States, you've chosen a side with your oath of office," Raskin said. The former constitutional law professor said if Trump were, his speech would be protected.Īs president, however, Raskin argued, Trump had a sworn duty that set him apart from every other American - to protect the Constitution. Raskin said that Trump was not merely a private citizen walking down the street expressing his support for the overthrow of the federal government. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., opened the second day of impeachment proceedings by rejecting the defense's argument that former President Donald Trump's remarks at a rally prior to the Capitol attack are protected speech under the First Amendment. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |