The Supreme Court announced on Wednesday that it will undertake a review of an obstruction of an official proceeding charge, affecting over 300 individuals, including former President Donald Trump. The charge is related to the disruption of Congress' certification of Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election victory over Trump. This specific charge is part of four counts brought against Trump by special counsel Jack Smith, accusing him of conspiring to overturn the election results and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding.
The court's decision to assess the obstruction charge has potential implications for the scheduled start of Trump's trial, currently set for March 4. Simultaneously, the justices are considering a rapid ruling on Trump's assertion that he cannot be prosecuted for actions taken during his presidency, a claim rejected by a federal judge.
The obstruction charge, carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, is a prominent felony charge in the extensive federal prosecution following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, where a mob of Trump supporters sought to prevent Joe Biden from assuming the presidency.
A lower court judge had dismissed the charge against Joseph Fischer, a former Pennsylvania police officer, and two other defendants, stating that it didn't encompass their conduct. The Supreme Court has accepted the appeal filed by Fischer's lawyers, and arguments are scheduled for March or April, with a decision expected in early summer.
The Justice Department has challenged a ruling that the law's scope was overly stretched in these cases. The Supreme Court's review could have broad implications, potentially impacting numerous cases and sentences if it rules in favor of the defendants challenging the obstruction charge.
The legal community views this development as significant, and defense attorney Kira Anne West, representing a Jan. 6 defendant charged with obstruction, emphasized the potential impact on various cases if the Supreme Court rules favorably. Over 1,200 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot, with more than 700 defendants having pleaded guilty.
