Federal Judge Rejects 'Free Speech' Defense In Lawsuit Alleging Trump Incited Violence Against Protesters

A federal judge in Kentucky has ruled a lawsuit against President Trump, brought by three protesters who were violently attacked at a Trump campaign rally, will go forward.

The judge said Trump's claim of free speech was rejected in the lawsuit that accuses Trump of inciting violence.

From U.S. News & World Report:

Trump's lawyers sought to dismiss the lawsuit by three protesters who say they were roughed up by his supporters at a March 1, 2016 rally in Louisville, Kentucky. They argued that Trump didn't intend for his supporters to use force.

Two women and a man say they were shoved and punched by audience members at Trump's command. Much of it was captured on video and widely broadcast during the campaign, showing Trump pointing at the protesters and repeating "get them out."

Judge David J. Hale in Louisville ruled Friday that the suit against Trump, his campaign and three of his supporters can proceed. Hale found ample facts supporting allegations that the protesters' injuries were a "direct and proximate result" of Trump's actions, and noted that the Supreme Court has ruled out constitutional protections for speech that incites violence.

It is plausible that Trump's direction to 'get 'em out of here' advocated the use of force," the judge wrote. "It was an order, an instruction, a command."

Plaintiffs Kashiya Nwanguma, Molly Shah and Henry Brousseau allege that they were physically attacked by several members of the audience, including Matthew Heimbach, Alvin Bamberger and an unnamed defendant they have yet to be able to identify.

Bamberger later apologized to the Korean War Veterans Association, whose uniform he wore at the rally. He wrote that he "physically pushed a young woman down the aisle toward the exit" after "Trump kept saying 'get them out, get them out," according to the lawsuit.

Heimbach, for his part, sought to dismiss the lawsuit's discussion of his association with a white nationalist group and of statements he made about how Trump could advance the group's interests. The judge declined, saying such information could be important context when determining punitive damages.

Trump Supporter Threatens Violence: "Hillary Needs To Be Taken Out"

More threats of violence as a Trump supporter who describes himself as a "patriot" says if Hillary Clinton is elected president, he would do everything in his power to take her out.

Via Buzzfeed:

The supporter, identified as 50-year-old Dan Bowman, told the Wall Street Journal last Thursday, “I feel like Hillary needs to be taken out. If she gets into government, I’ll do everything in my power to take her out of power. Which if I have to be a patriot, I will.”

When asked what he meant, Bowman responded, “Take it any way you want to take it.” After the Journal told him it sounded like a threat, Bowman said, “I’m a patriot.”

Bowman, who was wearing a Trump mask, also told the Boston Globe that Clinton should be “in prison or shot” and that there would be “a lot of bloodshed” if she won the election.

“If she’s in office, I hope we can start a coup,” Bowman told the Globe. “She should be in prison or shot. That’s how I feel about it. We’re going to have a revolution and take them out of office if that’s what it takes. There’s going to be a lot of bloodshed. But that’s what it’s going to take… I would do whatever I can for my country.”

A spokesperson for the Secret Service told BuzzFeed News they would respond with a statement.

Trump supporter at rally says "Hillary needs to be taken out" Watch: https://t.co/vwicB9i7vo

— Jason Morrell (@CNNJason) October 17, 2016

Former Tea Party Congressman Joe Walsh: "This Is Now War - Watch Out Obama"

Former Tea Party Congressman Joe Walsh from Illinois (currently a right-wing talk radio host) poured gasoline on the fire last night regarding the deadly shooting in Dallas last night taking to Twitter posting the above message.

"3 Dallas Cops killed, 7 wounded. This is now war. Watch out Obama. Watch out black lives matter punks. Real America is coming after you."

Basically calling for a race war or violence towards our president at a time of heightened tensions is reckless, Mr. Walsh.

#Idiot #StopDividingAmericans

Harlem Pastor: Christians Should Be Willing To Kill To Stop Obama

In a YouTube video posted today, Harlem Pastor James David Manning says Christians need to not only be willing to die for what they believe, they need to be willing to kill as well.

Who should Christians be willing to kill? Manning lists as his enemies President Obama and "sodomites."

From the video:

"If we're going to win this battle for the lord God almighty, two things are going to have to happen in terms of our battle strategies. We've got to be willing to die for what we believe. If you believe the word of God, then there is no way you will not die willingly for the cause of Christ.

"But the other thing - if we're gonna win this battle against Obama, the Tea Party, the long-leggy mack daddy, the quasi-Muslim freak, the vice president of both death and hell, against the sodomites, against racism - we're gonna have to be willing to kill as well.

"You can try to arrest me, saying that I'm inciting murderous behavior. Go ahead and try. See if that will stand up in court.

"Let me tell you something, if you're not willing to kill for what you believe, if you're not will to kill those that are diametrically opposed in great evil against you believe, then you're not worthy of his service.

"You gotta be willing to kill. You gotta be willing to die."

(h/t JoeMyGod)