James Comey Indicted on Charges of False Statements and Obstruction
A federal grand jury in Alexandria charged former FBI director James Comey with making false statements and obstructing Congress, which he has denied.
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Obstruction Of Congress
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"Appeals Court Orders Resentencing for Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Defendants"
A federal appeals court overturned a sentencing enhancement used against Jan. 6 defendants, potentially leading to over 100 convicted rioters being resentenced. The decision may impact plea negotiations and add to the workload of prosecutors and courts. The ruling could also affect former President Donald Trump's case, as he faces similar charges. The Supreme Court will review the obstruction charge, which could have implications for hundreds of Jan. 6 cases and Trump's legal battles.
"Unveiling Jack Smith's Potential Game-Changer Against Trump at the Supreme Court"
Special counsel Jack Smith, following the playbook of Watergate special prosecutor Leon Jaworski, has petitioned the Supreme Court to resolve the question of whether a president can be immune from criminal prosecution for crimes committed while in office. Smith seeks a prompt resolution as the trial is scheduled to start on March 4, 2024. Michael Dreeben, a former Justice Department official and counsel of record in this case, is seen as a secret weapon due to his extensive experience arguing before the Supreme Court. The outcome of this appeal could have implications for Trump's ongoing legal battles. Additionally, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving January 6 defendants, which overlaps with charges against Trump.
Supreme Court's Role in Trump Trial and Election Prosecutions
The United States Supreme Court has agreed to decide on an expedited basis whether to address Donald Trump's immunity from criminal prosecution in the Jan. 6 case. Additionally, the Supreme Court has accepted a case from another Jan. 6 defendant that could potentially eliminate two of the four counts under which Trump was charged. While these cases may cause some delay, they are expected to ultimately be resolved in the government's favor, allowing Trump's prosecution to proceed without significant delay. The trial is estimated to start in May or June, well before the 2024 election.
Trump's Role in Inciting Violence and Obstructing the Election Exposed by Prosecutors
Federal prosecutors working for special counsel Jack Smith have accused former President Donald Trump of a long pattern of lying about elections and encouraging violence, alleging that he "sent" supporters to the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, to criminally block the election results. In a new court filing, prosecutors stated their intention to introduce evidence of Trump's pre-election acts and subsequent threats to establish his motive, intent, and preparation for attempting to subvert Joe Biden's legitimate election victory. They also alleged that Trump's endorsement and encouragement of violence, as well as his post-conspiracy embrace of violent rioters, are admissible to establish his motive and intent on January 6. Trump's defense can argue to exclude such evidence as inflammatory or irrelevant. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges he faces in D.C. and has denied all wrongdoing in other ongoing legal cases against him.
Trump's Jan. 6 charge upheld on appeal, second time
A federal appeals court has upheld the lead felony charge used against participants in the 2021 Capitol riot for the second time, including implications for former President Donald Trump and other defendants. The court ruled that the charge of obstruction of Congress does not require dishonesty and that there are multiple ways to prove corrupt intent. The ruling rejects the argument that Trump and others believed the election was stolen and had no corrupt intent. The defendant, Thomas Robertson, a former police officer, was convicted of obstruction, impeding police, and destroying evidence and sentenced to 87 months in prison. Another defendant's appeal is still pending.
Prominent Activist's Son Convicted in Capitol Invasion Trial
Leo Brent Bozell IV, the son of prominent conservative activist Brent Bozell III, has been convicted of storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Bozell was found guilty of 10 charges, including obstructing the joint session of Congress and helping a mob disrupt the certification of Joe Biden's presidential election victory. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 9. Bozell's lawyer denied that he engaged in violence against police, claiming he was simply lost and observing events. Over 1,100 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes, with more than 650 pleading guilty and approximately 140 being convicted after trials.
Capitol rioters sentenced to years in prison for attacking police with stun guns
California man Daniel Rodriguez was sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison for attacking former police officer Michael Fanone with a taser and obstructing Congress during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Rodriguez will also have to pay $96,000 for Fanone's medical treatment and $2,000 in restitution for the destruction of the Capitol. Prosecutors said Rodriguez was "one of the most violent defendants" and requested a 14-year sentence. Rodriguez's defense attorney blamed Trump for the riot and his client's conduct. Fanone walked out of the courtroom during Rodriguez's address, and Rodriguez left yelling, "Trump won."
Jan. 6 Obstruction Charge Upheld by Appeals Court
A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of the Justice Department in a case that could have affected hundreds of charges brought in the Capitol riot investigation. The decision, however, leaves open the possibility of further challenges to the charge of obstruction of Congress, which has been brought against more than 300 defendants in the massive federal prosecutions following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. The charge of obstruction of an official proceeding, which carries up to 20 years behind bars, is among the most widely used felony charges in the Jan. 6 cases.
Jan. 6 Obstruction Charge Upheld by Appeals Court
A federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Justice Department in a case that could have affected hundreds of charges brought in the Capitol riot investigation. The court said a lower court judge was wrong in dismissing the charge of obstruction of Congress in three cases. The charge has been brought against more than 300 defendants in the Jan. 6 cases and carries up to 20 years behind bars. The decision leaves open the possibility of further challenges to the charge.
Capitol Rioter Sentenced to Three Years for Storming Pelosi's Office on Jan. 6
Riley June Williams, a Pennsylvania woman who led a group of rioters towards Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office on Jan. 6, 2021, and directed others inside the Capitol to steal a laptop computer, has been sentenced to three years in prison. Williams was convicted of several charges, including felony civil disorder and impeding officers trying to defend the Capitol Rotunda. Prosecutors said that Williams acted as an "accelerant" in the Capitol attack, leading those around her past police lines and into the speaker's office. The jury deadlocked on whether she had played a role in the theft of the computer and whether her actions amounted to obstruction of Congress's certification of the 2020 electoral vote.
10 Oath Keepers and Associates Convicted in Connection with Jan. 6 Capitol Riot
Four members of the Oath Keepers militia were convicted of conspiracy to obstruct the work of Congress and other charges related to their roles in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Two other defendants were found guilty of illegally entering and remaining on the Capitol grounds. The verdicts mark the end of the third and final trial examining the Oath Keepers' involvement in the attack. The group's leader and other members were previously convicted of seditious conspiracy. The trials have led to felony convictions against 15 members of the group, crippling an organization that once had tens of thousands of adherents.
Jan. 6 Capitol Rioter and Air Force Veteran Receives Two-Year Prison Sentence
Retired Air Force lieutenant colonel Larry R. Brock Jr. has been sentenced to two years in prison for obstructing the congressional certification of the electoral college vote during the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Brock, who was seen on the Senate floor wearing body armor and carrying zip-tie handcuffs, had called for revolution on social media prior to the attack. Despite his military service and lack of criminal history, the judge cited Brock's "astounding and atrocious" rhetoric and lack of remorse in handing down the sentence.