Former Attorney General Bill Barr expressed strong criticism towards Donald Trump , accusing the former President of turning people’s lives upside down in an alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Trump is facing four federal charges related to a Department of Justice investigation into these efforts and the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
Trump’s defense revolves around claiming that his First Amendment right to free speech was violated. However, Barr firmly disagreed on CNN ’s The Source with Kaitlan Collins, saying, “As the indictment says, they’re not attacking his First Amendment right, he can say whatever he wants he can even lie, he can even tell people that ‘the election was stolen’ when he knew better but that does not protect you from entering into a conspiracy.” He continued, “Free speech doesn’t give you the right to engage in a fraudulent conspiracy,” during the Wednesday, August 2 discussion.
The indictment against Trump acknowledges his right to speak publicly about the election, even if he falsely claimed election fraud and victory. However, it alleges that he went beyond this and pursued illegal means to discredit legitimate votes and subvert the election results. Barr labels Trump’s behavior outlined in the indictment as “despicable” and accuses him of bullying the election process, asserting that he should not be anywhere near the Oval Office.
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The unsealed indictment, as per The Independent said, Trump “had a right, like every American, to speak publicly about the election and even to claim, falsely, that there had been outcome-determinative fraud during the election and that he had won,” but that he “pursued unlawful means of discounting legitimate votes and subverting election results.” Barr added, “And for him to be attacking a prosecutor who is investigating that with all the epithets and so forth, which he has no basis for, as far as I can tell, is ridiculous.”
The Democrats love anyone who talks badly about Trump. They will platform anyone. Zero integrity.
— Joseph Pino (@JosephPino_) August 3, 2023
In response to the indictment, Trump attacked Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is leading investigations into his alleged unlawful behavior. Trump has a history of attacking prosecutors, witnesses, and judges in previous legal matters. Barr pointed out, “He leaves in his wake ruined lives like this – The people who went up to Capitol Hill, in government that got sucked into things and he just leaves all this carnage in his wake.” The situation surrounding the indictment and investigation has drawn significant attention due to Trump’s previous role as president and his controversial claims regarding the 2020 election.
Bill Barr doesn’t buy the defense that Trump was just exercising his First Amendment right about the 2020 election, predicts Trump wouldn’t do well under cross-examination and says he believes the former president “knew well that he had lost.” pic.twitter.com/BXgQRsTEP6
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) August 3, 2023
Overall, Barr’s remarks reveal a strong stance against Trump’s alleged actions and the implications of the indictment, painting a picture of a contentious legal battle ahead. The public eagerly awaits the unfolding developments as this high-profile case continues to make headlines.
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