The judge in charge of the election fraud case against Donald Trump in the US state of Georgia has rejected a request by the ex-president to stop the case on constitutional grounds. Trump’s lawyers had argued that the First Amendment of the American Constitution applied in the case – this protects, among other things, freedom of speech in the USA.
However, Judge Scott McAfee rejected this argument, as US media consistently reported, citing court documents. “Even key political statements are not protected from prosecution if they are suspected to be used for criminal behavior,” McAfee explained his decision.
Accusation: Trump tried to change the election results
Only a jury can decide whether there was criminal intent behind the statements made by Trump and his co-defendants. Trump and several others are facing charges in Georgia over their attempts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in the state.
The Republican had lost to Democrat Joe Biden at the time and tried in various ways to subsequently change the election result, including by putting pressure on political leaders at the federal level and in states such as Georgia. Some of Trump’s former associates entered into a deal with prosecutors after the indictment and pleaded guilty. The 77-year-old wants to move back into the White House after the presidential election in November.
