The US Supreme Court on Friday made it harder to charge Capitol riot defendants with obstruction, a charge that also has been brought against former prez Donald Trump. The justices ruled 6-3 that the charge of obstructing an official proceeding must include proof that defendants tried to tamper with or destroy documents. Only some of the people who violently attacked the Capitol on Jan.6, 2021, fall into that category. It’s unclear how the court’s decision will affect the case against Trump, although special counsel Jack Smith has said the charges faced by the former prez would not be affected. The SC returned the case of former police officer Joseph Fischer to a lower court to determine if Fischer can be charged with obstruction. Fischer has been indicted for his role in disrupting Congress’ certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory over Trump. Fischer is among about 350 people who have been charged with obstruction.
