Court: Free speech protects Trump comments at Kentucky rally

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A federal appeals court has dismissed a lawsuit alleging President Donald Trump incited a riot during a 2016 Kentucky campaign rally that led to assaults of three protesters.

Kentucky residents Kashiya Nwanguma (kah-SHY’-ah wan-GOO’-mah), Molly Shah and Henry Brousseau filed the lawsuit in 2016. They attended Trump’s campaign rally in Louisville on March 1, 2016. Security officers removed them after Trump said from the stage: “Get ’em out of here.” The protesters were pushed and shoved on their way out. A 26-year-old white nationalist was later fined and given a suspended jail sentence for his actions.

The lawsuit sought damages against Trump for inciting a riot, which is a misdemeanour under Kentucky law. But the court ruled Trump’s comments are protected as free speech under the First Amendment.