In America, I highly doubt it, though I am not a lawyer. There was no statement of fact that was made, only at most insinuation of an appearance. Usually these

In America, I highly doubt it, though I am not a lawyer. There was no statement of fact that was made, only at most insinuation of an appearance. Usually these sorts of cases are where one party has stated something as a matter of fact, not an opinion. The author has no standing to know anything as fact, only enough to hold an opinion. He's simply stating his honest opinion. Whether it's true or not is not up for discussion. It is necessary for the functioning of democracy, considering this is a public servant we are talking about who in the US has even less recourse (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defamation_per_se#Public_figure_doctrine_.28absence_of_malice.29 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defamation_per_se#Public_figur...), to hold such opinions as otherwise it would be impossible to insinuate that a public official is not acting properly, and to call for an investigation of such an official.