After the #Jan6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, federal prosecutors charged >350 participants in #Trump’s #insurrectionist mob w/ #obstructing or impeding an official proceeding. The charge carries a 20-yr maximum penalty & is part of a #law enacted after the exposure of massive #fraud & shredding of documents during the collapse of the energy giant Enron.

#lawlessness #SCOTUS #PartisanCourt #ActivistCourt #ExtremistCourt #CourtReform

Writing for the majority, Chief *Justice* #JohnRoberts said the government must establish that a defendant “impaired the availability or integrity” of records, documents or other objects used in an official proceeding. The decision returns the case to the lower courts for additional proceedings.

Justices #AmyConeyBarrett, Sonia #Sotomayor & Elena #Kagan dissented.

#lawlessness #Jan6 #SCOTUS #GinniThomas #MarthaAnnAlito #PartisanCourt #ActivistCourt #ExtremistCourt #CourtReform

#SCOTUS’ ruling has the potential to affect the #convictions & #sentences of a small set of #insurrectionists — around 27 — who are serving time in #prison for only this #felony. It also could impact about 110 more who are awaiting #trial or sentencing, acc/to prosecutors. In addition, the ruling could affect #Trump’s stalled trial for illegally trying to remain in power after his 2020 defeat; 2 of the 4 charges he faces are based on the #obstruction statute, & he could move for dismissal.

#law