Trump wins dismissal of 'inciting to riot' claim over 2016 rally

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday won the dismissal of an “inciting to riot” claim brought by three protesters who said they were roughed up at a March 2016 rally in Louisville, Kentucky, where Trump was campaigning for the White House.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the protesters did not state a valid claim under Kentucky law, and that Trump was protected by the First Amendment because he did not specifically advocate imminent lawless action.

Inciting to riot is a misdemeanor under Kentucky law, the appeals court said.

Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Bill Berkrot