Supreme Court Weighs Validity of Obstruction Charges Against January 6 Rioters

• Conservative justices appeared skeptical of obstruction charge against rioters, signaling charge could be tossed out in some cases • Liberals seemed supportive of Justice Dept interpretation that charge covers wide range of actions that obstruct proceedings • Decision could affect case against Trump, who faces same obstruction charge • Arguments focused on technical debate about words in law, not traumatic events of Jan 6 • Ruling could force Justice Dept to reopen some of 350 cases in which defendants face obstruction charge