Supreme Court Limits Obstruction Charges for January 6 Rioters

Joseph Fischer, a former police officer charged in the January 6 Capitol attack, returned to court following a significant U.S. Supreme Court ruling that elevated the legal threshold for obstruction charges. The Supreme Court's 6-3 decision mandates that prosecutors must demonstrate that defendants impaired the integrity of documents related to the congressional certification of the 2020 election. As a result, federal prosecutors have dropped obstruction charges against over 60 defendants tied to the riot, with ongoing legal challenges for more than 250 related cases. While Fischer still faces six other charges, including assaulting police, the Justice Department has stated it will not revive the obstruction charge against him. His trial is tentatively set for February 2025, with the upcoming hearing focusing on procedural next steps. The implications of the Supreme Court ruling also extend to former President Trump, who faces similar obstruction-related charges in a separate case.