'Get his head examined': Outrage as Trump's lawyer pushes for dismissal of Georgia election subversion case citing first amendment

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Donald Trump's legal representatives appeared in a Georgia court on Thursday, March 28 for the first time since a scandal involving Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' affair deferred the election fraud case against the former President.

The 77-year-old presumptive GOP presidential nominee did not show up during Thursday’s hearing, however, his lawyer, Steve Sadow, contended that the charges against him should be dismissed, per the New York Post.

Sadow claimed that the alleged actions of then-President Trump and others to overturn his defeat in the Peach State to then-former Vice President Joe Biden in 2020 were safeguarded by free speech rights.

DA Fani Willis admitted to having an affair with lead prosecutor Nathan Wade, who has since resigned, nevertheless, Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee decided that she may continue to spearhead the investigation, and this hearing marks the first stage in that process.

What did Trump’s attorneys contend in their defense during Thursday’s hearing?

Donald Trump’s lawyer Steve Sadow argued that when the former POTUS made allegations of voter fraud in Georgia back in 2020, he was using his First Amendment right to free speech because he had a "legitimate concern about the validity of the election."

Sadow maintained that it was important to take into account the fact that Donald Trump was still in power at the time, "dealing with elections and campaigning," and "calling into question what had occurred" about his alleged false remarks which provided the basis to the charges.

“That’s the height of political speech,” Sadow claimed.

Prosecutor Donald Wakeford retaliated, saying that Trump wasn't charged "just because the prosecution doesn't like what he said" or merely because what he said was untrue.

Wakeford asserted that Trump was free to express his opinions and to contest the election outcome through appropriate legal avenues, such as suing or staging "other legitimate protests."

"What he is not allowed to do is employ his speech, and his expression, and his statements as part of a criminal conspiracy," Wakeford went on to say.

Judge McAfee will issue his decision at a later date.

According to a recent report by CNN, two of Donald Trump's co-defendants attempted to use a First Amendment argument to dismiss their cases but were unsuccessful.

Judge McAfee determined that it was premature to rule on these grounds and that evidence must be presented at trial before making a decision.

The case took a turn in January when Trump's co-defendant, Mike Roman, filed documents alleging a conflict of interest due to the illegitimate relationship between Fani Willis and Nathan Wade.

Despite McAfee's ruling that Willis could remain on the case as long as Wade stepped down, the proceedings are on hold while Trump seeks to appeal in his pursuit to have the District Attorney removed from the case.

McAfee granted the MAGA strongman the rare right to appeal before the trial, but the Georgia Court of Appeals must first agree to take the case.

While no trial date has been set, District Attorney Fani Willis is optimistic that the proceedings can move forward before the crucial November 2024 election.

“I’m also realistic that one of the defendants has multiple cases going on and some of them have trial dates that are ahead of ours. So, I’m always going to be respectful of sister jurisdictions,” she stated.

Donald Trump has outright refuted the accusations brought against him in an attempt to cast this and three other criminal charges against him as part of a political "witch hunt" intended to prevent him from winning reelection in 2024.

Internet slams Donald Trump for citing Free Speech rights to dismiss Georgia election fraud case

People on X lambasted the former President of the United States for claiming that he was using his First Amendment right to free speech because he had a valid reason to be concerned about the election's legitimacy.

One X user remarked: "Hahahahaha. Find me the votes I need sounds like an invitation to commit a crime. That is not protected speech. The lawyer needs to get his head examined."

Another user claimed: "Statements about the election may be protected speech, but when that crossed over into action like his leaning on the Georgia SOS to find him votes....note so much."

Another user wrote: "Let me guess, the judge tabled it out for another 2-3 weeks for his decision—Cause this judge feels a loyalty to Trump."

One user said: "By that analogy, inciting riot is protected by the first amendment also."

Another X user asked: "So if you point a gun at the cashier and say "give me the money" you're just exercising your First and Second Amendment Rights, yeah?"

Finally, this user tweeted: "Another entry into the "you cannot make this sh!t up file."

 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.