Cotton compares Jan. 6 charges to ‘MSNBC producer’s document’ in Trump indictment.

Sen. ⁣Tom Cotton (R-AR) Slams Indictment Against Trump as a “Diatribe”

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) did not hold back in his criticism‌ of special counsel Jack Smith’s latest‌ indictment against former President Donald Trump. In an appearance on The⁢ Ingraham⁣ Angle, Cotton referred to the indictment as a “diatribe” that resembled something one would expect from an MSNBC producer.

Charges Against Trump

Smith announced ⁤on Tuesday that Trump was⁤ charged with four‌ counts related to alleged efforts to subvert the 2020 election and ‍disrupt the peaceful transfer of power during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Cotton ‌Rejects Indictment

Cotton vehemently rejected the legitimacy of the indictment, ‌emphasizing that the‌ activities Trump engaged in were constitutionally protected political activities and free speech, as guaranteed ‌by the First Amendment. He ‍made⁤ it clear that one does not have to agree‌ with Trump or believe he was right to recognize the importance of ‍protecting these fundamental rights.

“I also just want to point out that Jack Smith is an ideological⁣ zealot,” Cotton added. “He charged Bob McDonnell, the former governor of Virginia, on similar crimes years ago. He got a conviction, and then it was unanimously reversed by the​ Supreme Court because his⁢ legal theories⁣ were so far-fetched. ⁤I find it very curious that Merrick Garland chose to have this man pursue the former president.”

Double Standards

Cotton⁤ also highlighted the double standards at play, pointing out that Democrats have objected to election results in the past without facing criminal charges. ‌He emphasized that ​such objections ⁢are protected First Amendment activities and should⁣ not be subject to prosecution.

Consequences for the United States

Expressing concern about the impact of the indictment on foreign relations, Cotton warned that countries like China and Iran may view this‍ unprecedented action against a political opponent as an opportunity to‌ exploit divisions within the United States. He stressed the need ⁣for the administration to focus on confronting adversaries rather than engaging in divisive legal⁣ battles.

Protecting First Amendment‌ Rights

Cotton concluded by emphasizing the importance of protecting the president’s First ⁢Amendment rights, regardless of one’s ‌personal beliefs or opinions about the events of January 6th. He expressed dismay at the administration’s pursuit of ​Trump based on what he considers to be flimsy, novel, and untested legal theories.

Click here to read more ⁤from The Washington ​Examiner.

“It was fueled by⁤ lies,” Smith said. “Lies by‍ the defendant targeted at‌ obstructing a bedrock function of‌ the U.S. government, the nation’s process ‍of collecting, counting, ‌and certifying the results of the presidential election.”