Free as in?

The context is America's constitution, in which case it specifically is freedom from state mandated consequences.

    there is a worry that his stepping down represents a degradation of his right to Free Speech, as enshrined in his country’s constitution.

Under that context, the article is spot on. If you widen the sorts of freedoms your talking about, as I think some of the people were when talking about this situation, then it all becomes a big tangled mess. If you give one person freedom, you're taking it away from someone else.

It is perhaps a worthwhile discussion to have, but it's still important to note that specifically the American constitution doesn't protect you from people telling you you're being a bellend.

I think that history will judge these views very badly. But it will cut Eich the same slack that I cut my grandparents when they talk about politics.

Noone disputes his tech skills or contribution. You're missing the point here.