Trump's supporters besiege the US Congress in 2021. Hundreds have been punished for this. The Supreme Court has now decided that a particular criminal offense can only be used to a certain extent.
US Supreme Court makes capital storm cases more difficult The Supreme Court's ruling could overturn many of the rioters' convictions and prosecute former US President Donald Trump for attempted election fraud in Washington.
Criminal offence Applicable only in certain cases
The court concluded that the crime of “corruptly obstructing, influencing, or obstructing official proceedings” could only be applied to an attack on the Capitol in certain cases.
Hundreds of rioters have been convicted for this crime. The criminal offense is part of the indictment against Trump in the US capital's election fraud investigation.
Trump's supporters besiege the Parliament building on January 6, 2021. Then, Congress formally confirmed the victory of Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential election. During his speech, Trump incited his supporters by claiming that he had been robbed of his election victory through massive fraud. Republicans want to return to the White House after the presidential election in November.
Appellate judgment Verified
In particular, the Supreme Court reviewed an appellate decision against an indictment against a rioter who participated in the attack on the Capitol. He was charged with obstructing official proceedings. The plaintiff in this case argued that the offense could not be applied to the storming of the capitol. Rather, it is only used in classic cases of evidence manipulation, such as forging or destroying documents.
The Supreme Court has now ruled in favor of a narrower interpretation of the law and remanded the case to lower courts. Washington has argued in the past that the criminal convictions in the election fraud case against Trump are valid — regardless of the Supreme Court's ruling.
The judgment raises legal questions
The Supreme Court's decision may at least raise legal questions in this case. Many of the Capitol mutineers were never convicted or charged with anything other than this one count. Trump's indictment also lists other charges.
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