Staff Reports
The fate of many people who were charged for their actions during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol could be decided by the Supreme Court. The court is considering a case arguing that the law used to charge them was not meant to apply to the events of that day. This is important because it could also impact former President Donald Trump, who faces similar charges under the same law.
The law in question was passed in 2002 and was originally intended to help the government go after people who obstruct official proceedings, particularly in the wake of the Enron scandal. The Biden administration argues that the Electoral College vote count during the Capitol attack qualifies as an official proceeding, while the defendants and their lawyers argue that the law was meant to target people involved in corporate fraud cases, not those involved in the events of Jan. 6.
Supreme Court to review feds' use of obstruction charge against Jan. 6 defendants, Trump – https://t.co/vWC1UAn8mO – @washtimes
— @RaymondAgnew (@AgnewRaymond) April 12, 2024
The charges brought against the defendants include obstructing an official proceeding and conspiracy. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the defendants, it could potentially impact the charges against former President Trump as well, particularly the conspiracy charge. However, the special counsel in these cases argues that the charges against the defendants and against Trump stand regardless of how the court rules.
The case before the Supreme Court involves Joseph Fischer, a former police officer who participated in the events at the Capitol on Jan. 6. He was charged under the same law and has been disputing the application of the law to his actions that day. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for not only the Jan. 6 defendants, but also for the charges against Donald Trump.
The court’s ruling in this case could potentially impact the outcome of many other Jan. 6 cases and the charges brought against the individuals involved. It is an important decision that could have far-reaching consequences for the legal consequences of the events that transpired on that day.
