Supreme Court Backs Jan. 6 Rioter: Could This Affect Trump's Case?

The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a former police officer, Joseph Fischer, who challenged his obstruction charge in connection to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The decision, which may have implications for former President Donald Trump‘s case, was made in a 6-3 vote.

What Happened: The Supreme Court’s ruling, which was delivered on Friday, could have significant implications for the cases of hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants, including Trump, who have been charged with obstructing an official proceeding to prevent the certification of President Joe Biden‘s election victory, NBC News reported.

The court’s non-ideological decision favored Fischer, who argued that the law he was charged under was intended only for cases involving tampering with physical evidence. The case has been sent back to lower courts to decide if the Justice Department can still prosecute Fischer under the law’s new interpretation.

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Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the majority opinion, stated that the government’s view of the law’s reach “defies the most plausible understanding” of the statute in question.

The ruling may not directly impact Trump’s case, as prosecutors have indicated that even if Fischer wins, Trump’s conduct would still be covered by a narrower interpretation of the statute, according to NBC News.

Why It Matters: In April, Trump’s bid to pause several lawsuits linked to the Capitol attack was denied by a U.S. District Judge. The lawsuits, filed by Democratic lawmakers and police officers, allege harm suffered during the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, and accuse Trump of inciting the riot.

These developments could have a significant impact on the legal battles surrounding Trump and the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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