Barr Smacks Down Trump’s Free Speech Defense in Jan. 6 Case

Former Attorney General William Barr is rejecting a defense for the 45th president against charges stemming from the investigation of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

On Wednesday, Barr sat down for an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins and discussed the third indictment against former President Donald Trump.

“Trump’s attorneys are saying he was just exercising his first amendment right here. Do you think that’s a valid argument in your view?” Collins asked.

Barr responded, “No, I really don’t think that’s a valid argument. 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. All conspiracies involve speech, and all fraud involves speech. Free speech doesn’t give you the right to engage in a fraudulent conspiracy,” he added.

Watch the video below:

Conservatives argue Special Counsel Jack Smith’s decision to indict Trump is an attack on free speech. They essentially claim the charges focus only on Trump’s words and tweets.

However, the indictment acknowledges he had a right to claim the election was stolen in tweets and other statements. But it alleges he violated the law by directing