Rep. Lauren Boebert asked a federal court to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed against her by a North Carolina political activist.
The Silt Republican said Tuesday in a motion to dismiss the case that the plaintiff failed to state a legally sufficient claim and that statements by her that form the basis of the lawsuit are protected by the First Amendment. She also said a new Colorado law that protects people who exercise First Amendment rights from the threat of lawsuits — known as an anti-SLAPP law — calls for the case to be dismissed.
“Plaintiffs’ complaint reflects an ill-advised attempt to regulate the political arena through a strategic lawsuit,” Boebert’s motion says. “Because the First Amendment shields speech made in the ‘highly charged atmosphere’ of ‘an intense political campaign’ from judicial scrutiny … Plaintiffs’ Complaint fails as a matter of law and must be dismissed with prejudice.”
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The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court of Colorado by David Wheeler, who last year publicized information about Boebert in an effort to derail her reelection bid, and the super PAC American Muckrakers, of which he is president. Wheeler, a Democrat, is a 2024 candidate for North Carolina insurance commissioner.
Wheeler previously brought a similar lawsuit against Boebert in a North Carolina state court last year, but the judge dismissed the case,...
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