Another setback

Election fraud proceedings against Trump not dropped

Former President Donald Trump is currently facing many different lawsuits. At the same time, he has an election campaign to run.(Bild: AP)

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 dismiss the case on constitutional grounds.

Trump's lawyers had argued that the First Amendment of the US Constitution applies in the case - among other things, this protects freedom of speech in the USA. Judge Scott McAfee rejected this argument.

Donald Trump(Bild: AP)

"Even central political statements are not protected from prosecution if they are allegedly used for criminal behavior," McAfee explained his decision. Only a jury could decide whether there was criminal intent behind the statements made by Trump and his co-defendants.

Even key political statements are not protected from prosecution if they are allegedly used for criminal conduct.

Richter Scott McAfee

Trump and several other individuals have been charged in Georgia for their attempts to reverse the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in the US state. The Republican had lost to Democrat Joe Biden at the time and attempted to change the election result retrospectively in various ways, including by putting pressure on political leaders in the federal government and in states such as Georgia.

Following the indictment, some of Trump's former associates entered into an agreement with the public prosecutor's office and pleaded guilty. The 77-year-old wants to move back into the White House after the presidential election in November.

Setback also in hush money trial
Former US President Donald Trump has also been charged with paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels. He wanted to have the trial postponed. The judge in charge has now rejected this, saying the application was filed too late (see video above).