Justices will consider whether the charge of obstruction of an official proceeding can be used against those who protested Joe Biden's election win.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday is taking up the first of two cases that could affect the criminal prosecution of former President Donald Trump for his efforts to overturn his election loss in 2020. Hundreds of charges stemming from the Capitol riot also are at stake.
In Tuesday's case, the court is hearing an appeal from Joseph Fischer, a former Pennsylvania police officer who has been indicted on seven counts, including obstruction, for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in a bid to keep Biden, a Democrat, from taking the White House. Lawyers for Fischer argue that the charge doesn't cover his conduct.
The high court case focuses on whether the anti-obstruction provision of a law that was enacted in 2002 in response to the financial scandal that brought down Enron Corp. can be used against Jan. 6 defendants. Smith has argued separately in the immunity case that the obstruction charges against Trump are valid, no matter the outcome of Fischer's case.Most lower court judges who have weighed in have allowed the charge to stand. Among them, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, a Trump appointee, wrote that “statutes often reach beyond the principal evil that animated them.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Supreme Court turns away 'Cowboys for Trump' founder ousted from office over Jan. 6Lawrence Hurley covers the Supreme Court for NBC News.
Read more »
Supreme Court to review feds' use of obstruction charge against Jan. 6 defendants, Donald TrumpThe fate of hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants lies with the Supreme Court, which will hear a case Tuesday arguing that the obstruction law under which they were charged was never meant to apply to the attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Read more »
Supreme Court tackles Jan. 6 obstruction charge with Trump case loomingLawrence Hurley covers the Supreme Court for NBC News.
Read more »
Supreme Court to examine federal obstruction law used to prosecute Trump and Jan. 6 riotersThe fallout from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack will land before the Supreme Court on Tuesday when the justices consider the scope of a federal obstruction statute.
Read more »
Trump-Related Jan. 6 Cases Loom for Supreme CourtThe actions of Donald Trump and his supporters after his 2020 election loss top the Supreme Court's agenda in the next two weeks.
Read more »
Supreme Court case could upend felony charges against Jan. 6 rioters, TrumpThe justices will decide whether prosecutors improperly charged dozens.
Read more »