Donalds says charges against Trump violate the First Amendment
WASHINGTON, D.C. (FLV) – In the aftermath of former President Donald Trump’s latest indictment, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., has remained a vocal defender of the former president.
Donalds expressed his belief that the indictment, led by special counsel Jack Smith, represents a violation of an individual’s First Amendment rights.
He asserted that Americans, including the former president, have the right to express their views on elections and their outcomes, even if such views are at odds with mainstream media and the political left.
“You’re allowed to speak about elections and the outcomes, even if big media and the radical left don’t like it,” Donalds said. “You’re allowed to say secondarily because he was the candidate in that election.”
He criticized the indictment as an attempt by a “rogue” prosecutor from the Department of Justice to stifle free speech and infringe upon Trump’s constitutional rights.
“He’s allowed to use all means possible, legally speaking, to try to find a way to fight the outcome, he’s allowed to do that,” Donalds said. “Nobody can take that away from you, especially some rogue, knucklehead prosecutor out of the Department of Justice.”
Donalds officially endorsed Trump for president earlier this year.
A grand jury indicted Trump on four charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his connection to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
The indictment also mentions six unnamed co-conspirators, whose identities are expected to be revealed.
Trump traveled to Washington, D.C. Thursday for his formal arraignment on charges of conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election, marking his third indictment since leaving office.
Trump has vehemently criticized the charges and called for the case to be moved out of Washington, D.C., claiming that he will not receive a fair trial in the nation’s capital.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump labeled the case as “fake” and accused Biden of ordering a politically motivated indictment based on “concocted” charges.
He made strong statements rallying his supporters and promising a comeback in 2024.
“The Dems don’t want to run against me or they would not be doing this unprecedented weaponization of ‘Justice,’” Trump said. “BUT SOON, IN 2024, IT WILL BE OUR TURN. MAGA!”
He also characterized the latest charges as an “honor.”
“I AM NOW GOING TO WASHINGTON, D.C., TO BE ARRESTED FOR HAVING CHALLENGED A CORRUPT, RIGGED, & STOLEN ELECTION,” Trump said. “IT IS A GREAT HONOR, BECAUSE I AM BEING ARRESTED FOR YOU. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
