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Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said on Tuesday that a person cannot be prosecuted for speech, but he is in favor of other consequences for those who celebrate the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk , putting the senator at odds with the Trump administration.

Cruz made the comments at Politico's AI & Tech Summit on Tuesday, when he affirmed that hate speech is protected under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.

"The First Amendment absolutely protects speech," Cruz said.

"It absolutely protects hate speech," he continued. "It protects vile speech. It protects horrible speech. What does that mean? It means you cannot be prosecuted for speech, even if it is evil and bigoted and wrong."

PAM BONDI CLARIFIES 'HATE SPEE

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