The Supreme Court's conservative majority has shown skepticism towards a charge brought by federal prosecutors against individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. The charge in question involves 'obstructing' an official proceeding, which could potentially add up to 20 years to a prison sentence for those convicted.
While the court's liberal wing has indicated support for the charge, conservative justices have raised concerns about its broad implications and whether it could criminalize other forms of conduct, such as protests. The case has the potential to impact around 350 defendants currently facing this charge in relation to the Capitol riot.
Joseph Fischer, a former police officer and defendant in the January 6 case, argued that the law in question, which was enacted in response to the Enron scandal in 2001, was not intended to address riots but rather to prevent witness tampering.
During the court proceedings, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, and Samuel Alito were among those who appeared to challenge the government's interpretation of the law. The justices engaged in a thorough discussion lasting over an hour and a half, exploring the potential ramifications of the charge and its application in cases beyond the Capitol riot.
