SCOTUS makes it harder to charge Capitol rioters with obstruction
Jun 28, 2024, 9:20 AM
FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2021 file photo insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump riot outside the Capitol in Washington. The U.S. Supreme Court has made it more difficult for Capitol riot defendants to be charged with obstruction. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
WASHINGTON — A ruling today from the U.S. Supreme Court could make it harder for Jan. 6 rioters to be charged in connection with the events, specifically with obstructing an official proceeding.
The Associated Press reports the SCOTUS ruled that for defendants to be charged with obstruction, there must be proof that they “tried to tamper with or destroy documents” during the riot. Not all the people who participated in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6 meet this criteria.
This ruling, according to the AP, could be used by former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party to back up their claims that “the Justice Department has treated the Capitol riot defendants unfairly.”
In 2023, Trump was charged with obstruction related to the mishandling of several classified documents. The AP said at this time, it is “unclear how the court’s decision will affect the case against Trump.”
Devin Oldroyd is a digital content producer for KSL NewsRadio. Follow him on X.
