Criminal intent, free speech emerge as key issues in Trump's Jan. 6 indictment
Trump's team asserts he believed the election was stolen and had a free speech right to say so. Jack Smith anticipated those defenses in the indictment, experts told ABC. Former President Donald Trump's early legal defense is coming into focus after he was hit with another federal indictment, this time in connection to his efforts to remain in power after his 2020 election loss. Trump faces four felony charges, among them conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and obstruction of an official proceeding, in the Jan. 6 case brought by special counsel Jack Smith. The former president has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty. Emerging as key issues in the case are intent and free speech. MORE: Trump hit with sweeping indictment in alleged effort to overturn 2020 election Trump's lawyers have asserted Trump has always believed the 2020 election was stolen and had a First Amendment right to say so. Smith anticipated those defenses in his 45-page indictment, legal experts told ABC Ne...