Trump Hit by KKK-era Laws

Former President Donald Trump faced charges under Reconstruction-era laws, specifically Section 241 of the Enforcement Acts, originally created to combat the Ku Klux Klan's suppression of civil rights in the 1870s. These laws protect against conspiracies against civil rights, including tactics to suppress fundamental rights. Trump's charges, which can lead to a maximum of 20 years in prison, pertain to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The statute prohibits conspiracies against rights, primarily focusing on suppressing voting rights, which Trump is accused of doing. Legal experts suggest that Trump's potential defenses based on the 1st Amendment or lack of specific intent might be unavailing, especially given evidence that he was informed of the falsehood of his claims but chose to ignore them.